MD FAMILY-LAW 5-1404

Maryland Family Law Code Section 5-1404 (2023) - Trial (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall hold a trial on termination of parental rights not later than 180 days after an answer to the complaint is filed. (2) Unless both parents agree otherwise or the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to proceed, if a criminal proceeding involving the same underlying facts is pending at the time an action to terminate parental rights under this subtitle is filed, or if a criminal proceeding involving the same underlying facts is commenced after an action to terminate parental rights under this subtitle is filed, the court may stay all further proceedings in the action to terminate parental rights until the criminal proceeding is resolved. ...