reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 2 - Jurisdiction|Section 9.5-206 - Proceeding Pending in Another State

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in § 9.5-204 of this subtitle, a court of this State may not exercise its jurisdiction under this subtitle if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this title, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this State is a more convenient forum under § 9.5-207 of this subtitle.    (b)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in § 9.5-204 of this subtitle, a court of this State, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties under § 9.5-209 of this subtitle.        (2)    If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this title, the court of this State shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state.        (3)    If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this title does not determine that the court of this State is a more appropriate forum, the court of this State shall dismiss the proceeding.    (c)    (1)    In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a court of this State shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state.        (2)    If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may:            (i)    stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement;            (ii)    enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or            (iii)    proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 2 - Jurisdiction|Section 9.5-207 - Finding That Court Is Inconvenient Forum

    (a)    (1)    A court of this State that has jurisdiction under this title to make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.        (2)    The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court’s own motion, or request of another court.    (b)    (1)    Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this State shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction.        (2)    For the purpose under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:            (i)    whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;            (ii)    the length of time the child has resided outside this State;            (iii)    the distance between the court in this State and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;            (iv)    the relative financial circumstances of the parties;            (v)    any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;            (vi)    the nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;            (vii)    the ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and            (viii)    the familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.    (c)    If a court of this State determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.    (d)    A court of this State may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this title if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or other proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or the other proceeding.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-208 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 2 - Jurisdiction|Section 9.5-208 - Declining Jurisdiction

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in § 9.5-204 of this subtitle or by other law of this State, if a court of this State has jurisdiction under this title because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:        (1)    the parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction;        (2)    a court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under §§ 9.5-201 through 9.5-203 of this subtitle determines that this State is a more appropriate forum under § 9.5-207 of this subtitle; or        (3)    no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in §§ 9.5-201 through 9.5-203 of this subtitle.    (b)    If a court of this State declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection (a) of this section, it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under §§ 9.5-201 through 9.5-203 of this subtitle.    (c)    (1)    If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall assess against the party seeking to invoke the court’s jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses, including costs, communication expenses, attorney’s fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate.        (2)    The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this State unless authorized by law other than this title.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 2 - Jurisdiction|Section 9.5-209 - Providing Information as to Child

    (a)    (1)    In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child’s present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last 5 years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period.        (2)    The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party:            (i)    has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the date of the child custody determination, if any;            (ii)    knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; and            (iii)    knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.    (b)    If the information required by subsection (a) of this section is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished.    (c)    (1)    If the declaration as to any of the items described in subsection (a)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court.        (2)    The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court’s jurisdiction and the disposition of the case.    (d)    Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding.    (e)    If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information shall be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 2 - Jurisdiction|Section 9.5-210 - Appearances Before Court

    (a)    (1)    In a child custody proceeding in this State, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this State to appear before the court in person with or without the child.        (2)    The court may order any person who is in this State and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.    (b)    If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this State, the court may order that a notice given in accordance with § 9.5-107 of this title include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.    (c)    The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.    (d)    If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this State is directed to appear under subsection (b) of this section or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Petitioner” means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.    (c)    “Respondent” means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-302 - Orders Made Under Hague Convention

    Under this subtitle a court of this State may enforce an order for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as if it were a child custody determination.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-303 - Out-of-State Custody Determination -- Recognition and Enforcement

    (a)    A court of this State shall recognize and enforce a child custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this title or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this title and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this title.    (b)    (1)    A court of this State may utilize any remedy available under other laws of this State to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state.        (2)    The remedies provided in this subtitle are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody determination.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-304 - Out-of-State Custody Determination -- Temporary Order

    (a)    A court of this State that does not have jurisdiction to modify a child custody determination may issue a temporary order enforcing:        (1)    a visitation schedule made by a court of another state; or        (2)    the visitation provisions of a child custody determination of another state that does not provide for a specific visitation schedule.    (b)    (1)    If a court of this State makes an order under subsection (a)(2) of this section, it shall specify in the order a period that it considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Subtitle 2 of this title.        (2)    The order remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the period expires.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-306 - Out-of-State Custody Determination -- Recognition and Enforcement of Registration

    (a)    A court of this State may grant any relief normally available under the law of this State to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a court of another state.    (b)    A court of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance with Subtitle 2 of this title, a registered child custody determination of a court of another state.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-307 - Modification Proceeding Pending in Another State

    (a)    If a proceeding for enforcement under this subtitle is commenced in a court of this State and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to modify the determination under Subtitle 2 of this title, the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court.    (b)    The proceeding for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-309 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-309 - Service

    Except as otherwise provided in § 9.5-311 of this subtitle, the petition and order must be served, by any method authorized by the law of this State, on the respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-310 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-310 - Physical Custody; Fees and Expenses; Refusal to Testify; Privileges

    (a)    Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order in accordance with § 9.5-204 of this title, on a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes that:        (1)    the child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under § 9.5-305 of this subtitle and that:            (i)    the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Subtitle 2 of this title;            (ii)    the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Subtitle 2 of this title; or            (iii)    the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 9.5-107 of this title, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or        (2)    the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under § 9.5-305 of this subtitle but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Subtitle 2 of this title.    (b)    The court shall award the fees, costs, and expenses authorized under § 9.5-312 of this subtitle and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officials, and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.    (c)    If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.    (d)    A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-311 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-311 - Warrant

    (a)    On the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State.    (b)    (1)    If the court, on the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State, it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child.        (2)    (i)    The petition shall be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible.            (ii)    In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible.        (3)    The application for the warrant shall include the statements required by § 9.5-308(b) of this subtitle.    (c)    A warrant to take physical custody of a child shall:        (1)    recite the facts on which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based;        (2)    direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and        (3)    provide for the placement of the child pending final relief.    (d)    The respondent shall be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.    (e)    (1)    A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this State.        (2)    If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child.        (3)    If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour.    (f)    The court may impose conditions on placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child’s custodian.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-312 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-312 - Expenses

    (a)    The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication expenses, attorney’s fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care expenses during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that the award would be clearly inappropriate.    (b)    The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a state unless authorized by law other than this title.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-313 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-313 - Full Faith and Credit

    A court of this State shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by another state and consistent with this title that enforces a child custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Subtitle 2 of this title.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-314 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-314 - Appeal and Stay

    (a)    An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this subtitle in accordance with expedited appellate procedures in other civil cases.    (b)    Unless the court enters a temporary emergency order under § 9.5-204 of this title, the enforcing court may not stay an order enforcing a child custody determination pending appeal.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-315 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-315 - Lawful Action by Attorney General

    (a)    In a case arising under this title or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Attorney General may take any lawful action, including resort to a proceeding under this subtitle or any other available civil proceeding to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custody determination if there is:        (1)    an existing child custody determination;        (2)    a request to do so from a court in a pending child custody proceeding;        (3)    a reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or        (4)    a reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.    (b)    The Attorney General acting under this section on behalf of the court may not represent any party.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  9.5-316 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 9.5 - Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subtitle 3 - Enforcement|Section 9.5-316 - Lawful Action by Law Enforcement Officer

    At the request of the Attorney General acting under § 9.5-315 of this subtitle, a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist the Attorney General with responsibilities under § 9.5-315 of this subtitle.