Minors - Misappropriations or Neglect

Baltimore City Code art. 19, subtit. 37

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-1 Scope of subtitle.

§ 37-1. Scope of subtitle. (a) “Person” defined. (1) In general. In this subtitle, “person” has the meaning stated in § 1-107 of the City Code’s General Provisions Article. (2) Inclusions. Every officer, trustee, director, agent, partner, member, or employee of a corporation, partnership, or association who directly or indirectly engages in any of the acts prohibited by this subtitle or who assists the corporation, partnership, or association in any of those prohibited acts shall be subject to the penalties imposed by this subtitle. (b) Parents and guardians excluded. No parent or duly appointed guardian may be proceeded against under this subtitle for any alleged mistreatment or abuse of his or her own child or children or child or children for whom he or she has been appointed guardian. (Ord. 22-125; Ord. 77-573; Ord. 25-422.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-2 Misappropriation of minor’s property.

§ 37-2. Misappropriation of minor’s property. Any person having the custody of any minor child or children, and who shall appropriate to his own use or for his personal gain or profit any sum of money or any valuable article contributed or given for the support or maintenance of said minor child or children shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of said offense by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 25-422.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-3 General neglect; inducing to beg.

§ 37-3. General neglect; inducing to beg. Any person who shall induce a minor child to beg or ask alms, or any person having the custody of any minor child or children who shall refuse or neglect to provide food, clothing, housing facilities, or medical attention sufficient to preserve the health of such child or children, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of said offense by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. (Ord. 25-422.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-4 Child left unattended in vehicle.

§ 37-4. Child left unattended in vehicle. Any person, having the care or custody of any child under the age of 11 years who shall cause or permit the child to remain in a motor vehicle while not attended or accompanied in that motor vehicle by a person at least 13 years of age or more shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 87-939.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, §§ 37-5 to 37-10 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-11 Enjoining custody.

§ 37-11. Enjoining custody. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this subtitle may be enjoined from: (1) receiving or having the custody of any minor child or children; or (2) acting as officer or agent of any association, corporation, or other organization formed, operated, or maintained for the purpose of having the custody of or caring for any minor child or children. (Ord. 25-422.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-12 Enforcement by Social Services.

§ 37-12. Enforcement by Social Services. It shall be the duty of the Department of Social Services to: (1) promptly investigate any complaint of a violation of the provisions of this subtitle; (2) prosecute any person so violating the said provisions; and (3) whenever they shall deem proper, seek the issuance of an injunction as above provided. (Ord. 77-573; Ord. 25-422.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 37-13 Application of subtitle.

§ 37-13. Application of subtitle. This subtitle shall not be construed to repeal any existing provision of law, but shall be in addition to any existing provisions of law on this subject. (Ord. 25-422.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/19/37Fetched: 10/25/2026