Opinion ID: 1957391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motions for Independent Study

Text: As part of a court's determination regarding the appropriate permanency plan for a child's placement, a judge may authorize an independent study concerning matters arising in juvenile proceedings pursuant to Section 3-816 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article: [9] (a) Study authorized.  After a petition if filed under this subtitle, the court may order the local department or another qualified agency to make or arrange for a study concerning the child, the child's family, the child's environment, and other matters relevant to the disposition of the case. (b) Examination by professionally qualified person.  (1) As part of a study under this section, the court may order that the child or any parent, guardian, or custodian be examined at a suitable place by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other professionally qualified person. (2)(i) The court may not order an inpatient evaluation unless, after a hearing, the court finds that an inpatient evaluation is necessary and there are no less restrictive means to obtain an evaluation. (ii) Placement in an inpatient facility may not exceed 21 days unless the court finds good cause. (c) Admissibility; inspection; impeachment evidence.  (1) The report of a study under this section is admissible as evidence at a disposition hearing but not at an adjudicatory hearing. (2) The attorney for each party has the right to receive the report at least 5 days before its presentation to the court, to challenge or impeach its findings and to present appropriate evidence with respect to it. Md.Code (1974, 2002 Repl.Vol.), § 3-816 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. Similarly, in juvenile proceedings, Maryland Rule 11-105 provides the procedure for mental and physical examinations: a. Examination Procedure. 1. Order for examination. Any order for a physical or mental examination pursuant to Section 3-818 of the Courts Article shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions and scope of the examination and the person or persons by whom it is to be made. The court shall order that the examination be conducted on an outpatient basis if, considering the child's condition, that is feasible and appropriate. The order may regulate the filing of a report of findings and conclusions and the testimony at a hearing by the examining physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other professionally qualified person, the payment of the expenses of the examination and any other relevant matters. 2. Service of copies of report. Copies of all studies and reports of examinations made to the court under this Rule shall be furnished by the court to counsel for the parties when received by the court, but not later than two days before any hearing at which the results of the examinations will be offered in evidence. We have held that in addition to the State, a parent or other party in a CINA proceeding may make a motion for independent study, and whether a study should be conducted is left to the court's discretion; furthermore, the person performing the independent examination must be professionally qualified to conduct the examination. In re Mark M., 365 Md. at 715, 782 A.2d at 348-49. When a party moves for an independent evaluation, that party must demonstrate good cause for such an examination, show that the examination should be reasonably calculated to assist the trier of fact in rendering its decision, and must demonstrate that the proposed examination will not be harmful to the child. Id. at 717-18, 782 A.2d at 350.