# Md. Code, Family Law § 5-502: –502

> Maryland · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-502

## Section

- **Citation:** Md. Code, Family Law § 5-502
- **Heading:** –502
- **Jurisdiction:** Maryland
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MD Code / Article gfl / Title 5 / Subtitle 5 / Section 5-502

## Text

(a) The General Assembly declares that:

(1) minor children are not capable of protecting themselves; and

(2) when a parent has relinquished the care of the parent’s minor child to others, there is a possibility of certain risks to the child that require compensating measures.

(b) It is the policy of this State:

(1) to protect minor children whose care has been relinquished to others by the children’s parent;

(2) to resolve doubts in favor of the child when there is a conflict between the interests of a minor child and the interests of an adult; and

(3) to encourage the development of child care services for minor children in a safe, healthy, and homelike environment.

## Nearby sections

- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-501 §5–501.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-501.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-502 §5–502.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-502.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-503 §5–503.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-503.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-504 §5–504.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-504.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-505 §5–505.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-505.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-505.1 §5–505.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-505.1.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-505.2 §5–505.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-505.2.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-506 §5–506.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-506.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-507 §5–507.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-507.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-509 §5–509.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-509.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-509.1 §5–509.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-509.1.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-510 §5–510.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-510.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-511 §5–511.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-511.md)
- [Md. Code, Family Law § 5-512 §5–512.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-512.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_Agfl_T5_S5_S5-502. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.