ÿWPC Å…ðª5'ŒÙµå7‡¶CIB©Ð •å‚‹&Ú‡ì©ãXÛØzPZ¨êªý lu"ª_žºÿPòÇ­²“wí§Lcÿ±38äâD½P´qƒa‘øƒaRBž¾¡5³7 €]Çt )=/rs¡'O64iKÅ…g š|ÛÆ­E;ØûÀâu´/Ëñk“qç÷Qgk⽪Œ ¼HŠ÷†ã•ÂœÜr=:C{3)7={*7%ZHUCÝ&±îÃØø#KŒss…Ù:~Aý[ÕFiØ<§X\ ÙÓ>$n{©G‘h+ëö¤Y¨Új/ÍhIJޣ:/ÚJFæzp´ìBFîÏ: 0 •–±nô’;n!×¾Ð_ã`¯?èQr‡&5—ï#[,HÀLòÚ)èó[ñÊ·ù§6ÑïT!ÈîÀ1÷a{€0%®YÇa· ì¿Í¢0d’ÛM§&–0HÂvÂ\‚ýàM”àm!Hòb5ÚÒ3(rͳFè´T[Ô†má9ÜD-¹‘J«oŠªžõˆ„èu3ß›ŸäÚ3¹øƒ1ØQ„¢À±ÝU¾åMî@÷9kÃií#Éò3ÃÆõà|騼áÏ`o¯n‰¨Z¯—[\o$\ØöYŽ­2ç]ÌI†ßF, %hw@n 04®U.â^ 40E?A mCNZ 0D\ó H“U>Û÷   ^ ‘ UF UHã UF+ + + + + + + + q by y y y y y y 0x Bù X CDDEFGDHIJKL( ƒ•$¡¡Ñ  Ñ<þ6X9`(CourierFš„) «Mq)3|xLÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó éÝ ƒ'À $ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôˆÌõXXÔÑ @ Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôˆÌõõôˆÌÔÝ  Ý›Section€97€provided:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àFailure€of€parent€to€support€destitute€adult€child.Ð Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àAny€person€who€has€an€adult€child€destitute€of€means€andÏunable€to€support€himself€by€reason€of€mental€or€physical€infirmity,Ïwho€is€possessed€of€or€able€to€earn€means€sufficient€to€provide€suchÏchild€with€necessary€shelter,€food,€care€and€clothing€and€whoÏneglects€or€refuses€so€to€do,€shall€be€guilty€of€a€misdemeanor€and,Ïupon€conviction€thereof,€shall€be€fined€not€more€than€$1,000.00€orÏimprisoned€for€not€more€than€one€year,€or€both. >Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € ÑØØ<è\( 9Z+&Courier Regular íÝ ƒ'À $ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôˆÌõXXÔÑ @ Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôˆÌõõôˆÌÔÝ  Ý›When€òòSiningeróó€was€decided,€the€jurisdiction€of€the€equity€court€over€suchÐ ° Ðmatters€was€set€forth€in€Md.€Code€(1984€Repl.€Vol.),€section€3„602(a)€of€theÏCourts€and€Judicial€Proceedings€Article.€€That€statute€was€repealed€effectiveÏOctober€1,€1984,€by€Acts€1984,€ch.€296,€ðð€1,€and€was€recodified€at€FL€ðð€1„201. wÝ ƒ'À $ÝÓ  ÓÔ€ôˆÌõXXÔÑ @ Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôˆÌõõôˆÌÔÝ  Ý›A€ð ðdestitute€parentðð€is€one€who€ð ðhas€no€means€of€subsistenceðð€and€ð ðcannotÐ ° Ðbe€self„supporting,€due€to€old€age€or€mental€or€physical€infirmity.ðð€€FL€ðð€13„Ð xÈ Ð101(c).¸º) 'ô4  .Times New RomanBoldNûÖqZ ‹0Ribbon131 Bd BT Bold<4šÛ 9Z+‹.Courier New Regular - ù-(((3Ͷ$¤¤Ý ƒƒ•!ÝÑ  ÑÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó dÝ ƒƒ•!ÝÑ  ÑÝ  Ý›Ó  ÓñHñÌÌòòFreeburger€v.€Bichell,€et€al.óó,€No.€2751,€September€Term,€1999€Ð @ ÐÌHEADNOTES:€€PARENT€AND€CHILD;€NEGLIGENCE;€STATUTORY€DUTY€OF€PARENTÏTO€SUPPORT€DESTITUTE€ADULT€CHILD:€€FL€ðð€13„102(b),€WHICH€IMPOSES€AÏDUTY€ON€A€FINANCIALLY€ABLE€PARENT€TO€SUPPORT€HIS€OR€HER€DESTITUTEÏADULT€CHILD,€DOES€NOT€GIVE€RISE€TO€AN€INDEPENDENT€CAUSE€OF€ACTIONÏIN€FAVOR€OF€THE€PARENT€AGAINST€THE€TORTFEASOR€WHO€CAUSED€THE€ADULTÏCHILDððS€INJURIES.Ð  ° ÐñHñÒÀ°ÒÌÌÌÌà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à¼à  àà p à€€òòREPORTEDóóÐ ˜è ÐÌ€€òòIN€THE€COURT€OF€SPECIAL€APPEALSóóÐ ( x Ðà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à¼à  àà p à€€òòOF€MARYLANDóóÐ ¸   Ðà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à¼à  àà p à€€€€No.€2751Ìà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à¼à  à€€€September€Term,€1999Ì€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à  àà x àà Ð àÐ  ð  Ðà  àà p àà È àà  à€€€€€ÌßA€+) °°xdEÀ/hAßÐ 0€  ÐÌà  à€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ïà@ÜÜ,ôàMICHAEL€DAVID€FREEBURGER€€ˆÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ï€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ï€€€€€€€€€€€€€à È àv.Ð 'w ÐÌà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð àà@ìì*ôàMELVIN€ANTHONY€BICHELL,€ET€AL.ˆÌÌà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€€€€€ÌßA€+) °°xdEÀhAßÐ _ ÐÌÌà  àà p àByrnes,Ìà  àà p àAdkins,Ìà  àà p àSmith,€Marvin€H.€(Ret'd,Ìà  àà p à€€Specially€Assigned),ÌÌà  àà p àà È àà  àJJ.Ìà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€€ÌßA€+) °°xdEÀ% hAßÐ & v% Ðà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à¼à  àà p à€€àHDD0`à€€€€€€€€€ˆàH.|àOpinion€by€Byrnes,€J.ˆÐ ý M' Ðà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€€ÌßA€+) °°xdEÀŒ"hAßÐ "Ý) Ðà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€€€ÌÌFiled:ñLñ€December€26,€2000ñLñÌÌÓÓÐ  ¼% !. ÐÒ°ÀÒÔ_ÔÑ€ÀºÑÌà  àThis€case€presents€the€question€whether€the€Maryland€statuteÏthat€requires€a€parent€to€support€his€or€her€destitute€adult€child,Ïif€the€parent€is€financially€able€to€do€so,€creates€an€independentÏcause€of€action€in€favor€of€the€parent€against€the€tortfeasor€whoÏcaused€the€adult€childððs€injuries.€€We€hold€that€it€does€not.€ÌÓÓÔ‡¼@»XXÔò òÓ  ÓFACTS€AND€PROCEEDINGSÐ `  ÐÌÓ" Óó óÔ#†Xg)X»¼@ #ÔÓî Óà  àAppellant€is€Michael€David€Freeburger,€the€father€of€MichaelÐ @  ÐJustin€Freeburger€(ð ðMichaelðð).€€On€August€16,€1996,€Michael,€thenÐ Ð  Ðeighteen€years€old,€was€seriously€and€permanently€injured€in€anÏautomobile€accident.€€Michael€had€been€riding€as€a€passenger€in€aÏcar€driven€by€appellee€Melvin€Anthony€Bichell.€€Mr.€Bichell€failedÏto€negotiate€a€turn,€and€the€car€left€the€road€and€struck€a€utilityÏpole.€€The€car€was€owned€by€appellee€James€Kerns.€Ìà  àOn€June€21,€1999,€Mr.€Freeburger€brought€suit€in€the€CircuitÏCourt€for€Baltimore€City€against€Mr.€Bichell€and€Mr.€Kerns.€€HeÏalleged€that€Michael€had€sustained€personal€injuries€as€a€result€ofÏthe€August€16,€1996€accident;€that€the€accident€had€been€caused€byÏthe€negligence€of€the€appellees;€that€Michaelððs€injuries€hadÏrendered€him€physically€incapacitated€and€incapable€of€self„¼support;€that€Michael€had€incurred,€and€would€in€the€future€incur,Ïhospital€and€medical€expenses;€that€Michael€is€destitute€and€cannotÏpay€for€his€medical€expenses;€and€that€Mr.€Freeburger€is€under€aÏstatutory€duty,€pursuant€to€Md.€Code€(1999€Repl.€Vol.),€section€13„¼102(b)€of€the€Family€Law€Article€(ð ðFLðð),€to€provide€Michael€withÐ Ð* &0 Ðmedical€treatment€and€to€pay€for€his€medical€expenses.€€Finally,ÏMr.€Freeburger€sought€recovery€of€the€sums€that€he€is€(and€will€be)Ð ð-@)4 ÐÑÀºÑâ âÑ8€g)XXdÈXXdÈ8ÑÑ€ ÑØØâ âÑ  Ñunder€a€statutory€duty€to€pay€on€behalf€of€Michael€because€theyÐ ° Ðð ðwere€caused€directly€as€a€result€of€[Michaelððs]€aforesaid€injuriesÐ @ Ðthat€were€caused€directly€by€the€negligence€of€the€[appellees].ððÐ Ð  Ðà  àMr.€Bichell€never€was€served.€€Mr.€Kerns€was€served€and€filedÏa€ð ðmotion€to€dismiss€and/or€for€summary€judgment,ðð€in€which€heÐ ð @ Ðrecited€several€facts€outside€of€the€complaint,€none€of€which€areÏin€dispute.€€Specifically,€Mr.€Kerns€stated€that€at€the€time€of€theÏaccident,€he€carried€automobile€liability€insurance€with€Aetna€LifeÏ&€Casualty€Company,€with€limits€of€$50,000€per€person€and€$100,000Ïper€accident,€and€that€claims€had€been€asserted€against€that€policyÏby€Michael€and€by€other€passengers€who€had€been€riding€with€Mr.ÏBichell€at€the€time€of€the€accident.€€On€April€17,€1997,€MichaelÏsettled€his€claim€for€$50,000.€€A€settlement€draft€was€issued€byÏAetna€to€Michael€and€his€attorneys.€€The€draft€was€deposited€in€theÏattorneysðð€escrow€account.€€In€addition,€as€part€of€the€settlement,ÏMichael€signed€a€general€release,€a€copy€of€which€was€attached€toÏthe€motion€to€dismiss.€€The€general€release€provides:ÌÓÓà8  àà ` àThat€I,€Michael€Justin€Freeburger,€being€of€lawfulÏage,€for€the€sole€consideration€of€$50,000€to€me€in€handÏpaid,€receipt€whereof€is€hereby€acknowledged,€haveÏremised,€released,€and€forever€discharged,€and€for€myÏheirs,€executors,€administrators,€and€assigns€do€herebyÏremise,€release,€and€forever€discharge€Melvin€Bichell,ÏJames€Kerns€and€Aetna€Life€and€Casualty€Company€.€.€.€Ïand€all€other€persons,€firms,€and€corporations,€of€andÏfrom€any€and€all€claims,€demands,€rights,€and€causes€ofÏaction€of€whatsoever€kind€and€nature,€arising€from,€andÏby€reason€of€any€and€all€known€and€unknown,€foreseen€andÏunforeseen€bodily€and€personal€injuries,€damage€toÏproperty,€and€the€consequences€thereof,€resulting,€and€toÏresult,€from€a€certain€accident€which€happened€on€orÏabout€the€16€day€of€August€1996,€for€which€I€have€claimedÏthe€said€_________________€to€be€legally€liable,€whichÏliability€is€hereby€expressly€denied.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ð(Blank€space€in€original.)€Ìà  àÌÓyÓà  àIn€his€motion€to€dismiss€and/or€for€summary€judgment,€Mr.ÏKerns€argued€that€the€statutory€duty€of€a€parent€to€support€his€orÏher€destitute€adult€child,€pursuant€to€FL€ðð€13„102(b),€does€notÏcreate€a€cause€of€action€in€favor€of€the€parent€against€a€thirdÏparty€tortfeasor€and,€therefore,€the€complaint€did€not€state€aÏclaim€for€which€relief€could€be€granted.€€He€argued,€moreover,€thatÏeven€if€such€a€cause€of€action€existed,€it€was€released€by€Michael.Ìà  àMr.€Freeburger€responded€that€the€duty€of€support€under€FLÏðð13„102(b)€that€requires€him€to€provide€and€pay€for€the€medicalÏcare€Michael€needs€to€treat€his€injuries€also€gives€him€anÏindependent€right€of€action€for€medical€expenses€against€theÏtortfeasors€responsible€for€Michaelððs€injuries.€€Mr.€FreeburgerÏfurther€argued€that€his€cause€of€action€is€separate€from€MichaelððsÏcause€of€action,€and,€therefore,€it€was€not€encompassed€in€theÏclaims€that€Michael€released.€Ìà  àThe€circuit€court€held€a€hearing€on€the€motion€to€dismissÏand/or€for€summary€judgment.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€hearing,€theÏcourt€stated€that€it€was€going€to€grant€the€motion.€€It€did€notÏspecify€whether€it€was€granting€a€motion€to€dismiss€or€for€summaryÏjudgment.€€The€court€then€signed€an€order€that€provides:ÌÓÓà8  àORDERED,€that€Defendantððs€Motion€to€Dismiss€be€and€herebyÏis€GRANTED€or€in€the€alternative€FURTHER€ORDERED,€thatÏthe€Defendantððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€be€and€herebyÏis€GRANTED.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ¤ ÓMr.€Freeburger€noted€a€timely€appeal.ÌÌÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðà@îî!ìàò òÔ€¼B»XXÇBÔSTANDARD€OF€REVIEWÔ€XÇBX»¼BÔó óˆÐ ° Ðà  àUnder€Md.€Rule€2„322(c),€when€a€motion€to€dismiss€for€failureÏto€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€be€granted€presents€mattersÏoutside€of€the€pleadings€that€are€not€excluded€by€the€court,€itÏshall€be€treated€as€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,€under€Md.€RuleÏ2„501.€€In€the€case€at€bar,€Mr.€Kerns€recited€in€his€motion€toÏdismiss€on€that€ground€facts€outside€the€record,€and€presented€asÏan€attachment€the€release€signed€by€Michael.€€The€circuit€court€didÏnot€exclude€these€matters.€€Accordingly,€we€will€treat€the€courtððsÏorder€as€one€granting€summary€judgment.Ìà  àIn€deciding€whether€to€grant€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,Ïthe€circuit€court€must€determine€whether€there€is€a€genuine€disputeÏof€material€fact€and,€if€so,€whether€the€moving€party€is€entitledÏto€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòBeatty€v.€Trailmaster€Prods.,Ð  ð ÐInc.óó,€330€Md.€726,€737„38€(1993);€òòNationwide€Mut.€Ins.€Co.€v.Ð €Ð ÐScherróó,€101€Md.€App.€690,€694€(1994).€€In€reviewing€a€decision€toÐ `° Ðgrant€summary€judgment,€we€engage€in€the€same€analysis,€and€in€soÏdoing€determine€whether€the€circuit€court€was€legally€correct€inÏits€ruling.€€òòBeattyóó,€330€Md.€at€737.Ð `"°$ Ðò òÓ  ÓÔ‡¼B»XXÇBÔDISCUSSIONó óÔ#†XÇBX»¼BN'#ÔÐ @$& ÐÓB'Óà  àIn€this€Court,€the€parties€advance€the€same€contentions€theyÏmade€below.€€They€agree€that€there€was€no€genuine€dispute€ofÏmaterial€fact.€€Mr.€Freeburger€argues€that€the€circuit€court€erredÏin€granting€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€Messrs.€Bichell€and€KernsÐ  +p&. Ðbecause€1)€under€FL€ðð€13„102(b),€he€is€legally€obligated€to€provideÏand€pay€for€medical€care€for€Michael,€who€is€a€ð ðdestitute€adultÐ @ Ðchild,ðð€within€the€meaning€of€FL€ðð€13„101(b),€and€this€statutoryÐ Ð  Ðduty€in€turn€gave€rise€to€a€cause€of€action€in€his€favor,€againstÏthe€appellees;€and€2)€his€right€of€action€against€the€appellees€isÏseparate€from€Michaelððs€cause€of€action€against€them,€and,Ïtherefore,€was€not€within€the€scope€of€the€general€release€ofÏclaims€given€by€Michael.€€The€appellees€argue€to€the€contrary.Ìà  àFL€ðð€13„102€is€entitled€ð ðProhibited€acts;€penalties.ðð€€ItÐ 0€  Ðprovides,€at€subsection€(b):ÌÓÓà8  àòòDuty€to€support€destitute€adult€childóó.€€ð"ð€€If€aÐ P  Ðdestitute€adult€child€is€in€this€State€and€has€a€parentÏwho€has€or€is€able€to€earn€sufficient€means,€the€parentÏmay€not€neglect€or€refuse€to€provide€the€destitute€adultÏchild€with€food,€shelter,€care,€and€clothing.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓUnder€FL€ðð€13„101(b),€a€ð ðdestitute€adult€childðð€is€ð ðan€adult€childÐ (x Ðwho:€(1)€has€no€means€of€subsistence;€and€(2)€cannot€be€self„¼supporting€due€to€mental€or€physical€infirmity.ðð€€Subsection€(c)€ofÐ H˜ Ððð€13„102€€makes€a€violation€of€the€statute€a€misdemeanor€punishableÏby€a€fine€not€to€exceed€$1,000€and/or€imprisonment€not€exceedingÏone€year.Ìà  àThe€law€that€now€appears€at€FL€ðð€13„101(b)€first€was€enactedÏin€1947,€as€part€of€the€criminal€code.€€Md.€Code€art.€27,€ðð105Ï(1951).€€It€was€passed€in€swift€response€to€the€decision€inÏòòBorchert€v.€Borchertóó,€185€Md.€586€(1946),€which€held,€in€theÐ 8'ˆ", Ðcontext€of€a€child€support€dispute,€that€parents€are€not€legallyÏobligated€to€support€their€adult€disabled€children.€€In€òòSmith€v.Ð ¨*ø%0 ÐSmithóó,€227€Md.€355€(1962),€the€Court€of€Appeals€relied€upon€theÐ ° Ðstatute,€by€then€codified€at€art.€27€ðð€97,€to€affirm€an€award€ofÏalimony€that€included€a€weekly€payment€to€the€ex„wife€for€supportÏof€the€partiesðð€physically€incapacitated€adult€child.׃ ×Ý ƒ )ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€More€thanÐ °  Ðtwenty€years€later,€in€òòSininger€v.€Siningeróó,€300€Md.€604€(1984),Ð @  Ðthe€Court€held€that€the€statutory€duty€of€support€appliesÏregardless€of€whether€the€adult€childððs€incapacity€predated€hisÏattaining€the€age€of€minority€and€that€the€duty€is€properlyÏenforceable€by€circuit€courts€within€their€equity€jurisdiction€overÏchild€custody,€guardianship,€legitimation,€maintenance,€visitation,Ïand€support.׃` ×Ý ƒ )ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Рð@ Ðà  àEven€before€enactment€of€the€statutory€provision€at€issue€inÏthis€case,€the€law€recognized€a€duty,€also€created€by€statute,€onÏthe€part€of€adult€children€to€support€their€destitute€parents.€ÏThat€duty€is€now€codified€at€FL€ðð€13„102(a),€which,€in€languageÏmirroring€FL€ðð€13„102(b),€provides€that,€ð ð[¢i]f£€a€destitute€parentÐ À Ðis€in€this€State€and€has€an€adult€child€who€has€or€is€able€to€earnÐ P   Ðsufficient€means,€the€adult€child€may€not€neglect€or€refuse€toÏprovide€the€destitute€parent€with€food,€shelter,€care,€andÏclothing.ðð׃×Ý ƒ )ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð Ð  Ðà  àIn€òòBlucher€v.€Ekstrom,€óó68€Md.€App.€459€(1986),€òòvacated€andÐ ` ° Ðremanded€on€other€groundsóó,€309€Md.€458€(1987),€this€Court€addressedÐ @  Ðthe€question€whether€an€adult€childððs€statutory€duty€to€support€his€Ïdestitute€parent€ð ðcreates€a€concomitant€cause€of€action€entitlingÐ °  Ðthe€adult€child€to€recover€compensation€from€the€party€who€injuredÏthe€adult€childððs€parent.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€460.€€In€that€case,€an€adultÐ Ð  Ðdaughter€and€her€mother€were€injured€in€an€automobile€accidentÏcaused€by€two€tortfeasors.€€The€mother€sustained€serious€personalÏinjuries€that€left€her€medically€disabled€and€required€around„the„¼clock€medical€care.€€It€so€happened€that€the€adult€daughter€wasÏemployed€as€a€nurse.€€When€the€mother€was€discharged€from€theÏhospital,€the€adult€daughter€began€to€provide€her€with€constantÏnursing€care,€which€neither€of€them€otherwise€could€afford.€ÏEventually,€the€adult€daughter€left€employment€to€care€for€herÏmother€full€time,€and€suffered€a€total€loss€of€income.Ìà  àThe€adult€daughter€sued€the€tortfeasors€to€recover€damages€forÏher€own€personal€injuries,€on€theories€of€negligence€and€negligentÏentrustment,€and,€in€a€separate€count,€to€recover€the€wages€she€hadÏlost€when€she€left€employment€to€care€for€her€mother.€€She€allegedÏthat€she€had€been€forced€by€the€tortfeasorsðð€wrongdoing€to€leaveÐ (P#, Ðemployment€because,€under€ðð€13„102(a),€she€was€required€to€provideÏfor€her€motherððs€care,€and€she€could€only€do€so€by€caring€for€herÏmother€herself.€€The€trial€court€dismissed€the€latter€claim€withoutÏleave€to€amend,€for€failure€to€state€a€cause€of€action.Ìà  àOn€appeal,€this€Court€rejected€the€adult€daughterððs€argumentÏthat€the€duty€imposed€by€FL€ðð€13„102(a)€gave€rise€to€a€cause€ofÏaction€in€favor€of€an€adult€child€against€the€tortfeasor€whoseÏconduct€caused€the€destitute€parentððs€disability.€€We€stated:ÌÓÓà8  àThe€purpose€of€[FL€ðð13„102(a)]€is€not€to€create€a€causeÏof€action€on€behalf€of€adult€children€of€a€disabledÏparent€but,€insofar€as€possible,€to€remove€destituteÏparents€from€public€support€and€to€place€responsibilityÏfor€their€upkeep€on€their€adult€children.€€The€criminalÏsanctions€imposed€by€the€legislature€are€a€recognition€ofÏthe€fact€that€not€all€adult€children€will€voluntarilyÏsupport€their€destitute€parent€or€parents.€€In€order€toÏencourage€compliance€with€the€legal€requirement€ofÏsupport,€the€General€Assembly€has€enacted€a€penalÏprovision€for€noncompliance.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓW>Ó68€Md.€App.€at€464.€€We€emphasized€that€an€intent€to€change€theÏcommon€law€is€not€to€be€inferred€from€enactment€of€legislationÏexcept€ð ðby€clear€and€unambiguous€language.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€465€(quotingÐ °  ÐòòLutz€v.€Stateóó,€167€Md.€12,€15€(1934)).€€We€also€pointed€out€that,Ð à" Ðwith€the€exception€of€statutes€that€expressly€confer€upon€certainÏpeople€the€right€to€sue€for€damages€for€injury€or€death€to€another,Ïa€cause€of€action€in€tort€ordinarily€is€personal€to€the€party€whoÏwas€injured.€€We€concluded:ÌÓÓà8  àAt€common€law,€an€adult€child€acting€on€his€or€her€ownÏbehalf€was€not€permitted€to€maintain€an€action€in€tortÏagainst€the€party€who€allegedly€injured€the€childððsÏparent.€€The€Legislature€does€not€sanction€such€a€suit.€ÏThe€statute€carries€no€hidden€meaning.€€It€does€exactlyÏwhat€it€purports€to€do,€that€is,€require€an€adult€childÏto€support€a€destitute€parent,€if€the€child€has€theÐ `,°'2 Ðability€to€do€so.€€What€the€act€does€not€do€is€create€aÏnew€tort.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌ68€Md.€App.€at€466.ÌÌÓCÓà  àThe€Court€of€Appeals€granted€òòcertiorarióó€in€òòBlucheróó€to€addressÐ ˜è Ðthe€question€ð ð[¢w]hether£€the€duty€of€an€adult€child€ñAñto€ñAññ@ñprovidingÐ x È Ðñ@ñsupport€andÐ x È Ðcare€for€a€destitute€parent€creates€a€concomitant€cause€of€actionÏentitling€the€adult€child€providing€support€and€care€to€recoverÏdamages€from€the€party€who€injured€the€parent,€which€injuriesÏresulted€in€the€parent€becoming€destitute?ðð€€òòBlucher€v.€Ekstromóó,Ð ¸  Ð309€Md.€458,€459€(1987).€€The€Court€did€not€reach€that€question,Ïhowever,€because€it€concluded€that€no€order€of€appeal€had€beenÏfiled€from€the€final€judgment€dismissing€the€count€in€which€theÏadult€daughter€had€sought€recovery€of€her€lost€wages.€€On€thatÏbasis,€the€Court€vacated€this€Courtððs€judgment€and€remanded€theÏcase€to€this€Court€with€directions€to€dismiss€the€appeal.Ìà  àIn€òòPepper€v.€Johns€Hopkins€Hospitalóó,€111€Md.€App.€49€(1996),Ð øH Ðòòaffððdóó,€346€Md.€679€(1997),€we€had€occasion€to€discuss€FL€ðð€13„Ð Ø( Ð102(b).€€In€that€case,€a€minor€child€sustained€serious,€permanentÏinjuries€as€a€result€of€medical€negligence€by€a€hospital.€€HisÏparents€sued€the€hospital€on€the€childððs€behalf€and€in€their€ownÏright,€for€recovery€of€the€childððs€past,€present,€and€futureÏmedical€expenses.€€The€circuit€court€dismissed€the€parentsðð€claimsÏbecause€they€were€time„barred.€€At€trial,€the€hospital€moved€ñBñòòñBñinÐ ˆ'Ø"+ ÐlimineñBñóóñBñ€to€preclude€the€child€from€introducing€evidence€of€hisÐ h)¸$- Ðmedical€expenses,€on€the€ground€that€the€parents€were€responsibleÐ H+˜&/ Ðfor€those€expenses€during€the€childððs€minority,€under€the€doctrineÏof€necessaries,€and€the€parents€would€become€responsible€for€theÏchildððs€post„majority€expenses,€under€FL€€ðð€13„102(b).€€The€childððsÏlawyer€proffered€that€the€evidence€would€show€that€the€childððsÏpast,€present,€and€future€medical€expenses€were€and€would€beÏsubstantial,€and€that€while€the€parents€had€some€assets,€includingÏa€house,€their€assets€and€incomes€could€not€meet€the€medicalÏexpenses€necessary€for€the€childððs€care.€€The€circuit€court€grantedÏthe€motion€in€limine.€€A€defense€verdict€was€returned,€and,€onÏappeal,€the€child€contested,€òòinter€aliaóó,€the€ruling€on€the€motion.Ð À Ðà  àThis€Court€held€that€the€circuit€courtððs€ruling€was€in€error.€ÏWe€explained€that,€under€òòGaray€v.€Overholtzeróó,€332€Md.€339€(1993),Ð 0€ Ða€negligently€injured€child€may€pursue€a€claim€for€medical€expensesÏin€his€own€name€if,€òòinter€aliaóó,€his€parents€are€unable€to€meetÐ  ð Ðthose€expenses.€€We€concluded€that€the€child€adequately€hadÏproffered€to€the€trial€court€evidence€of€his€parentsðð€inability€toÏpay€his€medical€expenses.€€We€also€rejected€the€hospitalððs€argumentÏthat€the€child€was€not€entitled€to€recover€future,€post„majorityÏmedical€expenses€when€it€was€likely€that€he€would€become€aÏdestitute€adult€child€within€the€meaning€of€FL€ðð€13„102(b).€€WeÏexplained€that€an€adult€child€is€primarily€responsible€for€his€orÏher€own€medical€expenses,€but€that,€under€FL€ðð€13„102(b),€hisÏparents€have€a€ð ðcontingent€responsibilityðð€for€the€adult€childððsÐ (P#, Ðmedical€expenses€if€the€conditions€set€forth€in€the€statute€areÏmet.€€òòPepperóó,€111€Md.€App.€at€70„71.Ð  +p&0 Ðà  àWe€now€turn€to€the€issue€in€the€case€at€bar,€and€draw€upon€theÏcase€law€addressing€FL€ðððð€13„102(a)€and€(b).€€The€language€of€FLÏðð13„102(b)€makes€plain€that€a€duty€arises€on€the€part€of€a€parentÏto€provide€an€adult€child€with€food,€shelter,€care,€and€clothing€ifÏand€only€if€(1)€the€adult€child€has€no€means€of€subsistence€andÏcannot€be€self„supporting€due€to€physical€or€mental€infirmity;€òòand€Ð € Ð  Ðóó(2)€the€parent€has€the€means€or€is€able€to€earn€sufficient€means€toÐ `°  Ðprovide€the€support.€€òòCf.€Hale€v.€Stateóó,€44€Md.€App.€376,€378Ð ð@  Ð(1979)€(stating€that€the€statute€imposing€criminal€liability€forÏfailure€to€support€a€destitute€parent€requires€the€fact„finder€toÏfind€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€the€children€were€able€toÏsupport€the€parent).€€Ìà  àIn€this€case,€Mr.€Freeburger€did€not€allege€or€offer€any€proofÏthat€he€presently€has€the€means€or€is€able€to€earn€sufficient€meansÏto€€provide€for€Michaelððs€medical€care.€€Because€that€conditionÏmust€exist€to€trigger€the€legal€duty€of€support€under€ðð€13„102(b),Ïit€is€clear€that€on€the€facts€put€forward€by€Mr.€Freeburger€no€suchÏduty€existed.€€For€that€reason€alone,€entry€of€summary€judgment€wasÏproper.Ìà  àEven€if€Mr.€Freeburger€had€alleged€or€presented€proof€that€heÏpresently€has€the€means€or€is€able€to€earn€the€means€sufficient€toÏpay€for€Michaelððs€medical€expenses,€the€statute€in€question€doesÏnot€create€a€cause€of€action€that€would€entitle€him€to€recoverÏthose€expenses€from€the€appellees,€as€the€tortfeasors€who€causedÏMichaelððs€injuries.€€Moreover,€the€expenses€in€question€clearlyÏwere€within€the€ambit€of€Michaelððs€release€of€claims.Ð `,°'2 Ðà  àA€parent€has€no€common€law€right€of€action€against€one€whoÏtortiously€injures€the€parentððs€adult€child.€€Although€FL€ðð€13„¼102(b)€imposes€a€duty€of€support€on€financially€able€parents€of€aÏdestitute€adult€child,€it€is€devoid€of€language€clearly€andÏunambiguously€creating€a€cause€of€action€against€the€tortfeasorÏwhose€wrongdoing€caused€the€adult€childððs€disability.€€By€way€ofÏcontrast,€an€action€for€wrongful€death,€which€did€not€exist€atÏcommon€law,€was€expressly€created€by€enactment€of€the€WrongfulÏDeath€Statute.€€òòSeeóó€Md.€Code€(1998€Repl.€Vol.),€ðð€3„902€of€theÐ 0€  ÐCourts€and€Judicial€Proceedings€Article€(ð ðCJðð)€(ð ðAn€action€may€beÐ ` Ðmaintained€against€a€person€whose€wrongful€act€causes€the€death€ofÏanother.ðð).€€The€Wrongful€Death€Statute€specifies,€at€CJ€ðð€3„904,Ð 0€ Ðthe€people€who€may€benefit€from€such€an€action.€€Until€recently,€aÏparent€could€not€bring€an€action€for€the€death€of€a€married€adultÏchild,€and€could€only€bring€such€an€action€for€the€death€of€anÏunmarried€adult€child€in€limited€circumstances.€€òòSeeóó€former€CJ€ðð€3„Ð pÀ Ð904(e)ñEñ€ñEñ(ñCñ1995ñCññDñ7ñDñ).€€In€1997,€the€Wrongful€Death€Statute€was€amended€toÏmore€broadly€permit€recovery€by€parents€for€the€death€of€adultÏchildren,€and€recovery€by€adult€children€for€the€death€of€a€parent.€ÏCJ€ðð€3„904(e).Ìà  àWhile€FL€ðð€13„102(b)€provides€for€criminal€liability€againstÏa€parent€who,€having€the€means€to€do€so,€fails€to€support€aÏdestitute€adult€child,€it€does€not€go€beyond€that€to€alter€theÏcommon€law€by€creating€a€separate€and€concomitant€cause€of€actionÏin€the€parent€of€the€adult€child.€€As€we€see€it,€the€primaryÏpurpose€of€FL€ðð€13„102(b)€is€the€same€as€the€primary€purpose€of€FLÐ `,°'2 Ððð€13„102(a),€as€recognized€by€this€Court€in€òòBlucheróó:€€to€removeÐ ° Ðfrom€public€support€destitute€and€disabled€people€whose€relativesÏare€financially€able€to€support€them.€€òòBlucheróó,€68€Md.€App.€at€464.€Ð  p ÐòòSee€also€Ô_ÔLasleyÔ_Ô€v.€Georgetown€UnivñFñ.ñFññGñersityñGñóó,€842€Ô_ÔF.€SuppÔ_Ô.€593€(Ô_ÔD.€D.C.Ô_ÔÐ  P Ð1994).Ìà  àMr.€Freeburger€maintains€that€òòSmith€v.€Smithóó,€òòsupraóó,€227€Md.Ð p À  Ð355,€supports€his€position.€€He€emphasizes€that€in€that€case,€theÏCourt€observed€that€the€statutory€predecessor€to€FL€ðð€13„102(b)€wasÐ à0  Ðð ða€clear€indication€of€legislative€intent€to€place€failure€toÐ pÀ  Ðsupport€an€incapacitated€[adult]€child€on€equal€footing€withÏfailure€to€support€a€minor€child.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€360.€€òòSmithóó€did€notÐ à Ðinvolve€the€issue€of€liability€to€third€parties,€however.€€It€dealtÏonly€with€a€òòparentððs€dutyóó€to€support€his€or€her€destitute€adultÐ P Ðchild.€€To€be€sure,€when€the€parent€is€financially€able,€FL€ðð€13„¼102(b)€imposes€such€a€duty€of€support,€and€the€duty€is€on€a€parÏwith€the€parental€duty€to€support€a€minor€child.€€It€does€notÏlogically€follow€from€the€existence€of€that€duty,€however,€that€aÏparent€who€is€obligated€by€statute€to€support€his€or€her€destituteÏadult€child€has€a€corresponding€right€of€action€against€theÏtortfeasor€responsible€for€the€adult€childððs€injuries.€€Indeed,Ïsuch€an€interpretation€would€be€an€unwarranted€extension€of€the€lawÏthat€is€beyond€the€legislative€scope€and€purpose€of€FL€ðð€13„102(b).Ìà  àMr.€Freeburger€also€argues€that€òòJohns€Hopkins€Hospital€v.Ð ð(@$, ÐPepper,€supraóó,€346€Md.€679,€supports€his€argument.€€We€disagree.€Ð Ð* &. ÐIn€òòPepperóó,€the€Court€of€Appeals€affirmed€this€Court€and€held€thatÐ ° Ðthe€duty€imposed€by€FL€ðð€13„102(b)€does€not€preclude€a€minor€childÏfrom€recovering€future€medical€expenses€in€his€own€name.€€In€theÏcase€òòsub€judiceóó,€by€contrast,€Michael€was€an€adult€child€when€theÐ °  Ðaccident€in€which€he€was€injured€occurred.€€He€had€a€cause€ofÏaction€against€the€appellees€as€the€tortfeasors€responsible€for€hisÏinjuries,€and€he€asserted€claims€against€them€on€that€basis.€€HeÏthen€voluntarily€entered€into€a€settlement€of€those€claims,€inÏwhich€he€released€his€cause€of€action.€€In€an€ideal€world,€theÏappellees€would€have€had€sufficient€assets,€whether€in€the€form€ofÏinsurance€coverage€or€otherwise,€to€compensate€Michael€for,€òòinterÐ ð@ Ðaliaóó,€the€cost€of€his€past,€present,€and€future€medical€expenses.ñJñ€Ð Ð  ÐñJññKñÔ‡XÇBXXXÇBÔThe€fact€that€their€assets€were€limited,€however,€means€only€thatÐ ° Ðthis€case€is€like€the€many€others€in€which€injured€people€settleÏtheir€claims€for€a€compromised€sum.€€It€does€not€mean€that€a€causeÏof€action€arose€in€favor€of€Michaelððs€father€for€the€same€medicalÏexpenses€that€Michael€had€sought€to€recover.Ô#†XÇBXXXÇBÁk#ÔñKñÐ ð@  ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àò òÓÓJUDGMENT€AFFIRMED.Ð"`$(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àCOSTS€TO€BE€PAID€BY€APPELLANT.ó óÐ#P%(#(# ÐÌÌÌÐ  H&˜!) ÐÑ = ÑñIñÌÔ‡¼@»XX§pÔÔ‡X½¤ XXX§pÔà@ÈÈ!ìàDeborah€Sweet€EylerˆÐ xÈ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À ààHP P Àà€€€€€Court€of€Special€AppealsˆÌà@þ þ ìàRobert€C.€Murphy€Courts€of€Appeal€BuildingˆÌà@àà!ìà361€Rowe€BoulevardˆÌà@’’ ìàAnnapolis,€MD€€21401ˆÌà@PP$ìà410„260„1485ˆÌÔ#†X½¤ X »¼©úpm#ÔÔ#†X§pX XX½¤m#ÔÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àÔ"USú ú, úÔDecember€15,€2000à Ð àÐ `°  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌHonorable€Joseph€F.€Murphy,€Jr.ÌHonorable€Arrie€W.€DavisÌHonorable€Ellen€L.€HollanderÌHonorable€James€P.€SalmonÌHonorable€James€R.€EylerÌHonorable€Andrew€L.€SonnerÌHonorable€James€A.€Kenney,€IIIÌHonorable€Sally€D.€AdkinsÌHonorable€Peter€B.€KrauserÌÌDear€Judges:ÌÌà  àà ` àRe:€€òòFreeburger€v.€BichellóóÐ P  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àNo.€2751,€1999€TermÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àòòArgued€November€3,€2000óóÐ X ÐÌà  àEnclosed€is€an€opinion€I€am€proposing€for€publication.€€PleaseÏreview€it€and€advise€me€of€any€comments,€corrections,€orÏsuggestions€for€changes.ÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àSincerely,ÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àÔ‡X!( XXX§pÔÔ‡°p”°XX§pÔòòDebbyÔ#†°p”°°°"µžs#ÔÔ‡X sXXX§pÔÔ#†X sX°°ë?½s#ÔóóÐ "`# ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àDeborah€Sweet€EylerÌÌDSE/dhÌEnclosureÌÌcc:€€Hon.€Marvin€H.€Smith€(Retððd)ÌÌP.S.€€Please€note€that€this€opinion€has€not€been€ð ðbluebooked.ððÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àDSEÌÔ#†X§pXXX st#ÔñIñ