Source: http://mdjustice.org/group/CINA_Task_Force
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 01:08:52+00:00

Document:
Since 2010, our policy has been to allow foster children to apply for this program up to 90 days before their foster care eligibility ends. This lessens the risk that these young people will experience a gap in income support while we consider their application. However, in some cases the decision process can last longer than 90 days.
On August 1, 2016, we implemented a year-long pilot study doubling the SSI application window to 180 days before foster care eligibility ends. This pilot will help us assess whether the longer period significantly reduces the number of individuals experiencing gaps in income support. After a year, we will decide whether to make this policy permanent. For more information, you and your clients can visit our spotlight page at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-disabled-youth.htm.
Find the GoToMeeting lInk at http://www.mdjustice.org/CINATaskForceGoToMeeting. If you cannot see this link, you are not a member of the Task Force, contact the moderators to become a member.
Here's the latest updated list of the status of family law bills pending before the Maryland legislature.
"Legal decision making" means legal custody and "parenting time" means physical or residential custody, visitation, or access.
There is no presumption of joint legal or joint physical custody.
The new § 9-201, et seq., is "Legal Decision Making and Parental Responsibility -- Judicial Determinations." It codifies the Sanders and Taylor factors, changing some, deleting some, adding some, and dividing them into what the judge shall consider and what she may consider.
Also in the new § 9-201, et seq., there is a list of factors the court may not consider unless the court finds a risk of harm to the child, including things like a parent's mental or physical disability, relative economic status, race, religion, etc., and extramarital sexual conduct. Included in that list is a parent's sexual orientation or gender identity.
There are two new categories of third party rights, the rights of "de facto parents" and of people with an "ongoing personal relationship" with the child. The third party provisions are contained in the new § 9-106. This section contains a substantial change in Maryland law regarding the rights of third parties - for good or ill, it is a huge change.
Anyone practicing family law should read the bill carefully. I have attached it.
In Re Guardianship of Zealand W. and Sophia W.
Pursuant to a divorce in 2005 in South Carolina, Father was granted custody of Sophia and Zealand and Mother was granted supervised visitation.
Father died in December of 2012. Father's Cousin filed a petition for guardianship in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The court granted temporary guardianship and entered a number of other orders, one finding Mother in contempt for failing to pay for a court-appopinted psychological evaluation. Mother filed an interlocutaory appeal of several of the orders.
The Court of Special Appeals found that "the circuit court was not authorized, under section 13-702 of the Estates & Trusts Article to appoint a third party as temporary or permanent guardian of the person of either Zealand or Sophia when (1) the children's mother is alive; (2) mother's parental rights have never been terminated; and (3) no testamentary appointment has been made."
The CSA cited In Re Adoption/Guardianship of Tracey K., 405 Md. 82 (2008), saying that "Section 3-702(a) of the Estates & Trusts Article does not allow a circuit court to appoint a guardianship of the person of a minor child where (1) the mother of the child is still living; (2) the mother's rights have never been terminated in this state pursuant to Title 5 of the Family Law Article; and parental rights have not been terminated by any other court.
I'm sending this both to CINA and to Family Law folks, so sorry if you get it twice.
FL § 9-101(a): "In a custody or visitation proceeding, if the court has reasonable grounds to believe that a child has been abused or neglected ..." A child means ANY child, not necessarily THE child at issue in the case. The language is pretty clear, as is the case law; there's no controversy that I know of.
My question has to do with the interpetation of § 9-101(b): "Unless the court specifically finds that there is no likelihood of further child abuse or neglect by a party, the court shall deny custody or visitation to that party, except that the court may approve a supervised visitation arrangenet that assures the safety ... of the child." The last words - "the child" - clearly refer to the child at issue in the case; that's the only child the judge can "... assure the safety of ...." It's not A child, but THE child. But, to what child does the first part of (b) refer? It says "... no likelihood of further child abuse or neglect ..." It doesn't use A or ANY or THE. In some of the cases it would be impossible for the Court to refer to ANY child, or the child who was abused before, because that child is dead (Adoption 12612) or that child is no longer a child aod longer subject to child abuse (Baldwin v. Baynard - the child grew up then had the abuser arrested).
I recently had a contested custody case in which the judge found that under all the Sanders factors and looking at the best interest of the child, Mom should have custody. He specifically found that the child at issue in the case was and never had been in danger of abuse or neglect by Mom. He found, though, that Mom had abused an older kid and he couldn't find that Mom had shown the older kid would never be abused again. It was an extremely odd case. I read the cases and found myself able to argue it either way.
I know what most of our instincts say - a parent who is an abuser should not have custody of children. The question is not about our instincts or what we think is good for the child, but about the corect interpretation of § 9-101(b).
The case is over, but I'm curious as to what everyone thinks, and whether the CINA folks and Family Law folks have different perspectives.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration, part of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will begin accepting requests for its Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) program beginning July 1. LISS grants assist adults with developmental disabilities and families with a child with developmental disabilities in purchasing services and/or items to address needs.
Applications are being accepted from July 1 through July 31, 2014.
Instead of first-come, first-served, a random selection of applicants will be selected after the application period ends July 31.
A second round of applications will be solicited beginning January 1 through January 31, 2015.
Applications will be accepted in person, by mail or by email for the entire month of July and later during the month of January 2015.
Applications will now only be accepted by the provider in your region.
The cap was lowered from $3000 to $2000 to reach many more families.
For more information, including the application, information on providers and FAQs, visit DDA's LISS website. If you have any questions about the LISS program, email DDA at DDA.LISS@maryland.gov or contact one of the LISS providers.
Does anyone have any suggestions on obtaining records/reports from Child Protective Services on Custody cases? We have tried calling the CPS worker on several cases, sending over subpeonas, talking with Supervisors, and yet we are still unable to access records or reports (especially for ongoing investigations). Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
See the attached regarding a 2/10 CINA Training. 1.5 credit hours have been approved.
CINA Case Questions - Need help? Ask!

References: § 9
 § 9
 § 9
 § 9
 § 9
 v. 
 § 9