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§ 5-1002. Legislative findings; purpose

West's Annotated Code of MarylandFamily Law

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Family Law (Refs & Annos)
Title 5. Children (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 10. Paternity Proceedings (Refs & Annos)
Part I. Definitions; Legislative Policy (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Family Law, § 5-1002
§ 5-1002. Legislative findings; purpose
Currentness
In general
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) this State has a duty to improve the deprived social and economic status of children born out of wedlock; and
(2) the policies and procedures in this subtitle are socially necessary and desirable.
Purpose
(b) The purpose of this subtitle is:
(1) to promote the general welfare and best interests of children born out of wedlock by securing for them, as nearly as practicable, the same rights to support, care, and education as children born in wedlock;
(2) to impose on the mothers and fathers of children born out of wedlock the basic obligations and responsibilities of parenthood; and
(3) to simplify the procedures for determining paternity, custody, guardianship, and responsibility for the support of children born out of wedlock.
Scope of subtitle
(c) Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to limit the right of a putative father to file a complaint to establish his paternity of a child.

Credits

Added by Acts 1984, c. 296, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1997, c. 609, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997.
Formerly Art. 16, § 66A.
MD Code, Family Law, § 5-1002, MD FAMILY § 5-1002
Current with legislation effective through October 1, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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