Bill > H2274

This bill aims to promote the well-being of minor children living with guardians. The key provisions include: 1. Providing guardians of minor children the right to counsel, with the court appointing counsel if the guardian is financially unable to retain one, when the guardian has been the primary caretaker for at least two years or a significant part of the child's lifetime. 2. Allowing the court to appoint counsel to represent a guardian or prospective guardian who is financially unable to retain counsel if the court determines their interests may be inadequately represented. 3. Requiring the court to note the reasons for establishing a guardianship, the petitioner's reasons, and the parent's reasons for consenting or objecting, when a guardianship is established for a minor with at least one living parent whose rights have not been terminated. 4. Allowing a parent whose rights have not been terminated to petition for termination of the guardianship, and establishing a presumption against termination if a prior petition was filed within 6 months, unless the parent shows the impediments to their custody have been removed and they are currently fit to parent the child. The overall intent is to protect the rights and interests of both guardians and parents in guardianship proceedings involving minor children.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2274