Md. Code, Education § 9.5–102

(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 the State:

(1) To protect minor children whose care has been relinquished to others by the child’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 home–like environment.