1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (b) “Caregiver” means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child.
3. (c) “Child” means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.
4. (d) “Developmental disability” has the meaning stated in § 3-801 of the Courts Article.
5. (e) “Guardianship” means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.
6. (f) “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.

7. (g)

   1. (1) “Parent” means an individual who, at the time a petition for guardianship is filed under this subtitle or at any time before a court terminates the individual's parental rights:

      1. (i) meets a criterion in § 5-306(a) of this subtitle; or
      2. (ii) is the mother.
   2. (2) “Parent” does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother of a child.

8. (h) “Party” means:

   1. (1) in a guardianship case under this subtitle:

      1. (i) the child;
      2. (ii) except as provided in § 5-326(a)(3)(iii) of this subtitle, the child's parent; and
      3. (iii) the local department to which the child is committed;

   2. (2) in an adoption case under Part III of this subtitle:

      1. (i) the child;
      2. (ii) the child's parent; and
      3. (iii) the individual seeking adoption;

   3. (3) in an adoption case under Part IV of this subtitle:

      1. (i) the child; and
      2. (ii) the individual seeking adoption; and
   4. (4) if express reference is made to a CINA case, a governmental unit or person defined as a party in § 3-801 of the Courts Article.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2017, c. 655, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017.