Maryland Family Law Maryland family law opinions and commentary
CINA: Waiver of reunification efforts: Mandatory waiver
CSA No. 0693, Sept. Term 2013. Reported. Opinion by Graeff, J. Filed Jan. 29, 2014. Appeal from Baltimore City. Affirmed.
The plain language and legislative history of Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-812 indicates its provisions are mandatory; thus, when a local Department of Social Services moves to waive its obligation to make reasonable efforts to reunify a parent and a CINA, the court is required to grant the motion upon finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the parent has involuntarily lost his or her rights to the child’s sibling.
