§ 5-301

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Caregiver” means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child.

(c) “Child” means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.

(d) “Developmental disability” has the meaning stated in § 3–801 of the Courts Article.

(e) “Guardianship” means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.

(f) “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.

(g) (1) “Parent” means an individual who, at the time a petition for guardianship is filed under this subtitle or at any time before a court terminates the individual’s parental rights:

(i) meets a criterion in § 5–306(a) of this subtitle; or

(ii) is the mother.

(2) “Parent” does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother of a child.

(h) “Party” means:

(1) in a guardianship case under this subtitle:

(i) the child;

(ii) except as provided in § 5–326(a)(3)(iii) of this subtitle, the child’s parent; and

(iii) the local department to which the child is committed;

(2) in an adoption case under Part III of this subtitle:

(i) the child;

(ii) the child’s parent; and

(iii) the individual seeking adoption;

(3) in an adoption case under Part IV of this subtitle:

(i) the child; and

(ii) the individual seeking adoption; and

(4) if express reference is made to a CINA case, a governmental unit or person defined as a party in § 3–801 of the Courts Article.