WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 197

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-203.

(a) (1) The parents are the joint natural guardians of their minor child.

(2)     A parent is the sole natural guardian of the minor child if the other
parent:

(i)              dies;

(ii) abandons the family; or
(iii) is incapable of acting as a parent.
(b) The parents of a minor child:

(1)     are jointly and severally responsible for the child's support, care,
nurture, welfare, and education; and

(2) have the same powers and duties in relation to the child.

(C) IF A PARENT OF A MINOR CHILD IS A MINOR, THE PARENTS OF THAT
MINOR PARENT ARE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPPORT OF
THEIR GRANDCHILD TO THE EXTENT THAT THE MINOR PARENT HAS INSUFFICIENT
FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO FULFILL THE SUPPORT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MINOR
PARENT.

[(c)] (D) (1) If the parents live apart, a court may award custody of a minor
child to either parent or joint custody to both parents.

(2) Neither parent is presumed to have any right to custody that is superior
to the right of the other parent

10-112.

(a)     If the Administration considers it to be in the best interest of this State, in a
case in which an assignment has been made under Article 88A, § 48(2) of the Code, the
Administration may accept in full settlement of an arrearage in child support payments an
amount that is less than the total arrearage.

(b)     On request of the Administration, a court may approve by order an amount
that is less than the total arrearage as full settlement of the arrearage.

(C) IN ANY CASE IN WHICH SETTLEMENT IS MADE FOR LESS THAN THE TOTAL
ARREARAGE, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY REQUIRE A PERIOD OF COMMUNITY
SERVICE TO BE SERVED TO REFLECT THE BALANCE OF THE ARREARAGE.

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