Section 5-201 - When court has jurisdiction. - Maryland Statutes

§ 9.5-201. When court has jurisdiction.
 

(a)  Grounds for jurisdiction.- Except as otherwise provided in § 9.5-204 of this subtitle, a court of this State has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if: 

(1) this State is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within 6 months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this State but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this State; 

(2) a court of another state does not have jurisdiction under item (1) of this subsection, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this State is the more appropriate forum under § 9.5-207 or § 9.5-208 of this subtitle, and: 

(i) the child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this State other than mere physical presence; and 

(ii) substantial evidence is available in this State concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships; 

(3) all courts having jurisdiction under item (1) or (2) of this subsection have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this State is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under § 9.5-207 or § 9.5-208 of this subtitle; or 

(4) no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in item (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection. 

(b)  Exclusive jurisdictional basis.- Subsection (a) of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this State. 

(c)  Effect of physical presence.- Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination. 
 

[2004, ch. 502, § 2.]