1. (a) For the purposes of subsection (b)(10) of this section, “child” means an unmarried individual under the age of 21 years.

2. (b) An equity court has jurisdiction over:

   1. (1) adoption of a child, except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;
   2. (2) alimony;
   3. (3) annulment of a marriage;
   4. (4) divorce;
   5. (5) custody or guardianship of a child except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;
   6. (6) visitation of a child;
   7. (7) legitimation of a child;
   8. (8) paternity;
   9. (9) support of a child;
   10. (10) custody or guardianship of an immigrant child pursuant to a motion for Special Immigrant Juvenile factual findings requesting a determination that the child was abused, neglected, or abandoned before the age of 18 years for purposes of § 101(a)(27)(J) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act; and
   11. (11) a petition for authorization for a minor to marry.

3. (c) In exercising its jurisdiction over the custody, guardianship, visitation, or support of a child, an equity court may:

   1. (1) direct who shall have the custody or guardianship of a child, pendente lite or permanently;
   2. (2) determine who shall have visitation rights to a child;
   3. (3) decide who shall be charged with the support of the child, pendente lite or permanently;
   4. (4) from time to time, set aside or modify its decree or order concerning the child; or
   5. (5) issue an injunction to protect a party to the action from physical harm or harassment.
4. (d) This section does not take away or impair the jurisdiction of a juvenile court or a criminal court with respect to the custody, guardianship, visitation, and support of a child.

Added by Acts 1984, c. 296, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 266, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 1991, c. 227, § 1, eff. July 1, 1991; Acts 1993, c. 198, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1993; Acts 1996, c. 595, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1996, c. 596, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, c. 15, § 1, eff. April 8, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 14, § 1, eff. April 8, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 15, § 1, eff. April 8, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 496, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997; Acts 2000, c. 61, § 1, eff. April 25, 2000; Acts 2014, c. 96, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2022, c. 175, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.

Formerly Art. 16, §§ 25, 66.