In Re Billy W.

BATTAGLIA, J. as to Part I.

In this action between the biological parents and the State, we have been asked to consider whether the trial court properly admitted hearsay testimony by a social worker and two Court Appointed Special Advocates 1 during a hearing to review the permanency plans for children who had been declared in need of assistance. Because we have held that application of the Maryland Rules of Evidence is not mandatory in permanency planning hearings, the Circuit Court did not commit error in admitting hearsay testimony from the social worker and the Court Appointed Special…