1. (a) The General Assembly declares that:

   1. (1) minor children are not capable of protecting themselves; and
   2. (2) when a parent has relinquished the care of the parent's minor child to others, there is a possibility of certain risks to the child that require compensating measures.

2. (b) It is the policy of this State:

   1. (1) to protect minor children whose care has been relinquished to others by the children's parent;
   2. (2) to resolve doubts in favor of the child when there is a conflict between the interests of a minor child and the interests of an adult; and
   3. (3) to encourage the development of child care services for minor children in a safe, healthy, and homelike environment.

Added by Acts 1984, c. 296, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 2011, c. 564, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2012.

Formerly Art. 88A, §§ 19, 32D.