Md. Code, Family Law § 5-7A-02
This is the official text of Md. Code, Family Law § 5-7A-02, part of Maryland’s Code, Family Law — governs marriage, divorce, child custody and support, and adoption.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§5–7A–02.
Official statutory text
(a) The Council consists of up to 23 members including:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(3) a representative of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services;
(4) a representative of the Maryland Department of Health, appointed by the Secretary of Health;
(5) a representative of the Maryland State Department of Education, designated by the Superintendent;
(6) a representative of the Department of Juvenile Services, designated by the Secretary;
(7) a representative of the Judicial Branch, designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland;
(8) a representative of the State’s Attorneys’ Association, designated by the Association;
(9) a pediatrician with experience in diagnosing and treating injuries and child abuse and neglect, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics;
(10) members of the general public with interest or expertise in the prevention or treatment of child abuse and neglect who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall include representatives from professional and advocacy groups, private social service agencies, and the medical, law enforcement, education, and religious communities; and
(11) at least two individuals who have personal experience with child abuse and neglect within their own families or who have been clients of the child protective services system who shall be appointed by the Governor.
(b) (1) The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(9), (10), or (11) of this section is 3 years.
(2) An appointed member may serve up to two consecutive 3–year terms.
(3) In case of a vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(c) All other members of the Council shall continue in office so long as they hold the required qualification and designation specified in subsection (a)(1) through (8) of this section.
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(3) a representative of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services;
(4) a representative of the Maryland Department of Health, appointed by the Secretary of Health;
(5) a representative of the Maryland State Department of Education, designated by the Superintendent;
(6) a representative of the Department of Juvenile Services, designated by the Secretary;
(7) a representative of the Judicial Branch, designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland;
(8) a representative of the State’s Attorneys’ Association, designated by the Association;
(9) a pediatrician with experience in diagnosing and treating injuries and child abuse and neglect, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics;
(10) members of the general public with interest or expertise in the prevention or treatment of child abuse and neglect who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall include representatives from professional and advocacy groups, private social service agencies, and the medical, law enforcement, education, and religious communities; and
(11) at least two individuals who have personal experience with child abuse and neglect within their own families or who have been clients of the child protective services system who shall be appointed by the Governor.
(b) (1) The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(9), (10), or (11) of this section is 3 years.
(2) An appointed member may serve up to two consecutive 3–year terms.
(3) In case of a vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(c) All other members of the Council shall continue in office so long as they hold the required qualification and designation specified in subsection (a)(1) through (8) of this section.
Status: reserved · Read it on the official government site
Dealing with a family matter in Maryland?
See all Maryland Family lawyers
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.