Source: https://www.childadoptionlaws.com/child_adoption_laws/adoption_laws_maryland.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 08:12:50+00:00

Document:
We hope to help you learn more about the child adoption laws in the State of Maryland. Please note that while we have tried to be as current as possible, laws are occasionally rewritten and/or amended; accordingly, the Maryland adoption law provided below may have errors, omissions, or may not be the most current version. Please remember that this information should not be used as the basis for making any legal decision. Please use appropriate resources and an attorney's advice when making legal decisions.
Pregnant women and Birth Mothers in Maryland who need financial, medical, nutritional, health or other types of help such as support groups please click this link.
(a) In general. -- In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Adoptive parent. -- "Adoptive parent" means an individual who completes adoption of another individual.
(2) a private agency that is licensed by the Social Services Administration of the Department under § 5-507 of this title, or by a comparable governmental unit of another state, to place children.
(2) as to a crime committed in another state, means a crime that, if committed in this State, would be a crime of violence as defined in § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article.
(e) Department. -- "Department" means the State Department of Human Resources.
(4) intellectual disability, as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article.
(2) the child's interest would be affected adversely if the child remains under the natural guardianship of either of the child's parents.
When a criminal or equity court of this State annuls a marriage, or when an equity court of this State decrees an absolute divorce for a reason that makes the marriage void ab initio, the court in the decree shall declare each child of the marriage to be a legitimate child of the parties to the marriage.
(1) The parents are the joint natural guardians of their minor child.
(iii) is incapable of acting as a parent.
(2) have the same powers and duties in relation to the child.
(c) Support obligations of grandparents. -- If one or both parents of a minor child is an unemancipated minor, the parents of that minor parent are jointly and severally responsible for any child support for a grandchild that is a recipient of temporary cash assistance to the extent that the minor parent has insufficient financial resources to fulfill the child support responsibility of the minor parent.
(1) If the parents live apart, a court may award custody of a minor child to either parent or joint custody to both parents.
(2) Neither parent is presumed to have any right to custody that is superior to the right of the other parent.
(1) If a minor child has only 1 parent, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the parent.
(2) If the parents of a minor child live together, and the child lives with them, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the parents.
(2) if custody has not been awarded, the parent with whom the child lives.
(c) Domicile of minor child not living with parent. -- If a minor child does not live with either parent, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the person who acts in the capacity of a parent.
(2) the other parent has abandoned the child or is dead.
(2) that parent has been awarded custody of the child or the other parent has abandoned the child or is dead.
(b) Scope of section. -- This section does not affect any provision of the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act.
(a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Caregiver. -- "Caregiver" means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child.
(c) Child. -- "Child" means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.
(d) Guardianship. -- "Guardianship" means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.
(e) Identifying information. -- "Identifying information" means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.
(2) "Parent" does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother of a child.
(4) if express reference is made to a CINA case, a governmental unit or person defined as a party in § 3-801 of the Courts Article.
(3) adoption of an individual under guardianship under this subtitle.
(2) unless otherwise specified, does not apply to an adoption case filed on or before December 31, 2005.
(a) Statement of findings. -- The General Assembly finds that the policies and procedures of this subtitle are desirable and socially necessary.
(6) protect adoptive parents from future disturbances of their relationships with children by former parents.
This subtitle is related to and should be read in relation to Subtitle 5 of this title.
(a) "Order" defined. -- In this section, "order" includes any action that, under the laws of another jurisdiction, has the force and effect of a comparable judicial order under this subtitle.
(2) termination of parental rights in compliance with the other state's laws.
(2) termination of parental rights in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws shall have the same legal effect as termination of parental rights in this State.
(7) on the basis of genetic testing, the man is indicated to be the child's biological father.
(1) A petitioner under Part II or Part III of this subtitle shall give a juvenile court notice that a man who is not named in the petition and has not been excluded as a father claims paternity.
(2) After a request of a party or claimant and before ruling on a petition under Part II or Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall hold a hearing on the issue of paternity.
(ii) when a petition for guardianship or adoption is filed or consent to guardianship or adoption is given, is a minor.
(2) To determine whether a disability makes a parent incapable of effectively participating in a case, a juvenile court, on its own motion or motion of a party, may order examination of the parent.
(1) In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, in a case under this subtitle, a juvenile court shall appoint an attorney to represent a child.
(ii) if the attorney who currently represents the child is not under contract with the Department, shall strike the appearance of that attorney.
(c) Dual representation. -- An attorney or firm may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct allow.
(d) Compensation. -- An attorney appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by a juvenile court.
(ii) the adoptee or adoptive parent.
(b) Construction of agreement. -- An agreement made under this section applies to contact with an adoptee only while the adoptee is a minor.
(2) if the agreement so provides, shall redact identifying information from the copies.
(d) Effect of noncompliance. -- Failure to comply with a condition of an agreement made under this section is not a ground for revoking consent to, or setting aside an order for, an adoption or guardianship.
(e) Mediation. -- If a dispute as to an agreement made under this section arises, a court may refer the parties to mediation to try to resolve the dispute.
(1) A juvenile court or other court of competent jurisdiction shall enforce a written agreement made in accordance with this section unless enforcement is not in the adoptee's best interests.
(2) If a party moves in juvenile court or another court of competent jurisdiction to modify a written agreement made in accordance with this section and satisfies the court that modification is justified because an exceptional circumstance has arisen and the court finds modification to be in an adoptee's best interests, the court may modify the agreement.
A juvenile court may assign counsel fees and costs among the parties to a case as the juvenile court considers appropriate and the parties' economic situations allow.
(3) from a final order.
(a) Authorized. -- Before termination of parental rights as to a child, a petition for adoption of the child may be filed only as provided in this Part III of this subtitle.
(1) With the consent of the local department with custody of a child, any adult may petition a juvenile court under this Part III of this subtitle to adopt the child.
(ii) is not competent to join in the petition.
5. includes no identifying information that would be in violation of an agreement or consent.
(2) In addition to a copy of an agreement for postadoption contact, a petitioner shall file the original agreement under seal.
(d) Amended petition. -- If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
(e) Assistance from local department. -- The local department with custody of the child shall assist a petitioner in complying with the requirements of this section.
A clerk of a juvenile court shall keep a listing of each address given to the juvenile court for a parent under this Part III of this subtitle.
(4) the child's last attorney of record in the CINA case.
(b) Method. -- Notice under this section shall be by first-class mail.
(c) Parental address. -- Notice to a parent under this section shall be sent to the parent's last address known to the juvenile court.
(a) Requirement. -- Promptly after a petition for adoption is filed under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall issue a show-cause order that requires the party to whom issued to respond as required under the Maryland Rules.
(3) the child's last attorney of record in the CINA case.
(ii) certified mail, return receipt requested.
(a) Requirement. -- A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.
(b) Notice. -- Before a hearing under this section, a juvenile court shall give notice to all of the parties.
(a) Maximum limit. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a juvenile court shall rule on an adoption petition under this Part III of this subtitle promptly but no later than 180 days after the petition is filed.
(3) expiration of the time to respond to show-cause orders issued under this subtitle.
(ii) the child's successful placement with the petitioner under the supervision of the local department or its agent for at least 180 days or a shorter period allowed by the juvenile court on recommendation of the local department.
(b) Marital status. -- In ruling on an adoption petition under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court may not deny the petition solely because the petitioner is single or unmarried.
(c) Construction as voluntary. -- If a parent consents to adoption in accordance with § 5-338 of this subtitle, loss of parental rights shall be considered voluntary.
2. if under the age of 10 years, does not object.
4. being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment as defined under this paragraph.
6. intellectual disability, as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article, and any other mental impairment or deficiency that may have necessitated remedial or special education and related services.
(ii) a prospective adoptive parent has a disability.
(ii) a waiver of the right to notice of further proceedings under this Part III of this subtitle.
(2) Consent to adoption entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of the revocation period.
(vi) the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-307(a) of this subtitle, stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.
(ii) 30 days after the adoption petition is filed.
(2) Consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.
(c) Revocation by local department. -- A local department may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.
(d) Revocation or objection by child. -- A child may revoke consent or object to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.
If a petition for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is contested, a juvenile court shall dismiss the petition.
(1) This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will.
(iii) the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.
(b) Effect on pending cases. -- An order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle terminates all pending CINA cases as to the adoptee.
(c) Adoption of adults. -- Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.
(iv) the child's last attorney of record in the CINA case.
(2) Service on a parent under this subsection shall be at the parent's last address known to the juvenile court.
If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle on the basis of a jurisdictional or procedural defect is filed more than 1 year after entry of the order, a juvenile court shall dismiss the petition.
(a) Authorized. -- If, after termination of parental rights as to a child, there is an open guardianship case, a petition for adoption of the child may be filed only as provided in this Part IV of this subtitle.
(1) Any adult may petition a juvenile court for an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.
4. includes no identifying information that would be in violation of an agreement or consent.
(2) the child's last attorney of record in the guardianship case.
(a) Requirement. -- A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.
(a) Maximum limit. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a juvenile court shall rule on the adoption petition under this Part IV of this subtitle promptly but no later than 180 days after the petition is filed.
(2) 10 days after the notice is served under § 5-346 of this subtitle.
(ii) the child's successful placement for adoption with the petitioner under the supervision of the local department or its agent for at least 180 days or a shorter period allowed by the juvenile court on recommendation of the local department.
(b) Marital status. -- In ruling on a petition for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle, a juvenile court may not deny a petition for adoption solely because the petitioner is single or unmarried.
(2) for an individual who is at least 10 years old, the individual consents.
(iii) the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-359 of this subtitle.
(b) Revocation by guardian. -- A guardian may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.
(c) Revocation by child. -- A child may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.
(b) Effect on pending cases. -- An order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle terminates all pending guardianship cases as to the adoptee.
(c) Adoption of adult. -- Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.
(iv) the child's last attorney of record in the guardianship case.
(2) Service on a former parent under this subsection shall be at the parent's last address known to the juvenile court.
If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle on the basis of a jurisdictional or procedural defect is filed more than 1 year after entry of the order, a juvenile court shall dismiss the petition.
(2) a comprehensive medical and mental health history of the prospective adoptee.
(b) Compilation of parental history. -- On request of an adoptive or prospective adoptive parent, a local department shall make reasonable efforts to compile a pertinent medical and mental health history of each of the prospective adoptee's or adoptee's parents or former parents, if available to the local department, and to make the history available to the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent.
(1) If, after adoption, a local department receives medical or mental health information about the adoptee or adoptee's former parent, the local department shall make reasonable efforts to make the information available to the adoptive parent.
(2) If, after adoption, the adoptive parent requests additional information, the local department shall make reasonable efforts to notify the former parent, at the former parent's last known address available to the local department, of the request and the reason for the request.
(d) Exclusion of identifying information. -- A medical or mental health history compiled under this section may not contain identifying information about a parent or former parent.
(1) (i) On request of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent of an adoptee and without a showing of a need, a local department shall provide information, other than identifying information, in its adoption record on the adoptee.
(ii) If a local department denies a request under this paragraph, then on petition of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent and without a showing of need, a juvenile court shall order access for the petitioner to inspect, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the local department's record on the adoptee.
(2) On petition of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent of an adoptee and without a showing of need, a juvenile court shall order access for the petitioner to inspect, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the juvenile court's record on the adoptee.
(b) Protection of identifying information. -- A juvenile court may not order opened for inspection under this section any part of a record that contains identifying information.
(a) Hearing on need. -- If, after a hearing on a petition of an adoptee or former parent, a juvenile court is satisfied that the adoptee or blood relative of the adoptee or former parent urgently needs medical information not in local department and juvenile court records, the juvenile court may appoint an intermediary to try to contact the adoptee or a former parent of the adoptee for the information.
(ii) try, in any manner, to encourage or discourage contact between an adoptee and former parent.
(c) Report to court. -- An intermediary appointed under this section shall file with the appointing juvenile court a confidential written report on the intermediary's efforts to contact an adoptee or former parent.
(2) medical information that the adoptee or a former parent provided.
(e) Compensation. -- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a juvenile court may order an adoptee or former parent to pay a reasonable fee for the services of an intermediary under this section.
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings stated.
(2) "Director" means the State Director of Social Services.
(3) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene.
(b) Scope of section. -- This section applies only to an adoption in which a juvenile court enters an order for adoption on or after January 1, 2000.
(2) the Director or a confidential intermediary from obtaining a copy of a record under § 5-4B-04(c) or § 5-4B-06(b) or (c) of this title.
(iii) the report of the adoptee's order of adoption filed by the clerk of court under § 4-211 of the Health - General Article.
(iv) the report of the adoptee's order of adoption filed by the clerk of court under § 4-211 of the Health - General Article.
(ii) pay the fee required under Title 4, Subtitle 2 of the Health - General Article for a copy of a record.
(iii) refile a disclosure veto at any time.
(3) Immediately after the Director receives a disclosure veto or cancellation under this subsection, the Director shall forward a copy to the Secretary.
(1) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.
(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the Secretary shall give to each applicant who meets the requirements of this section a copy of each record that the applicant requested and that the Secretary has on file.
(ii) the adoptee and each adoptive parent, if the adoptee has filed a disclosure veto in accordance with this section.
(4) Whenever an adoptee applies for a record, the Secretary shall redact from the copy all information as to a biological parent, if that parent has filed a disclosure veto in accordance with this section.
(5) The Secretary shall give each applicant under this section notice of the adoption search, contact, and reunion services available under Subtitle 4B of this title.
§ 5-360. Access for adoptive parent.
(a) Allowed. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, access to a dental or medical record of an adopted minor may not be denied to a parent of the minor because the parent is an adoptive parent.
(b) Limit on identifying information. -- Access to a dental or medical record under this section may not include access to any part of the record that has identifying information as to a former parent of the minor.
(2) an agreement for custody in contemplation of adoption.
(1) In this subsection, "Administration" means the Social Services Administration of the Department.
B. the choice of the most suitable prospective adoptive parent.
(c) Duty of State's Attorney. -- Each State's Attorney shall enforce this section.
(d) Penalties. -- A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 100 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months or both, for each offense.
(b) Child. -- "Child" means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.
(c) Guardianship. -- "Guardianship" means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.
(d) Identifying information. -- "Identifying information" means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.
(2) "Parent" does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother.
(2) adoption of the child.
(b) Effect. -- Except as expressly provided in this subtitle, this subtitle does not apply to any case pending on or before December 31, 2005.
(6) protect adoptive parents from a future disturbance of their relationship with adoptees by former parents.
(2) the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services verifies the validity of that adoption by granting, under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, an IR-3 visa for the adoptee.
(1) A petitioner under this subtitle shall give a court notice that a man who is not named in the petition and has not been excluded as a father claims paternity.
(2) After a request of a party or claimant and before ruling on a petition for guardianship or adoption under this subtitle, a court shall hold a hearing on the issue of paternity.
(ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent under this subtitle, is still a minor.
(2) To determine whether a disability makes a parent incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the parent.
2. has a disability that makes the prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in the proceeding.
(2) To determine whether a disability makes a child incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the child.
(2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same case.
(d) Compensation. -- Counsel appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by the court.
(2) if the agreement so provides, shall redact identifying information from all copies.
(d) Effect of noncompliance. -- Failure to comply with a condition of an agreement made under this section is not a ground for revoking consent to, or setting aside an order for, adoption or guardianship.
(e) Mediation. -- If a dispute as to an agreement made under this section arises, a court may order the parties to engage in mediation to try to resolve the dispute.
(1) A court shall enforce a written agreement made in accordance with this section unless enforcement is not in the adoptee's best interests.
(2) If a party moves to modify a written agreement made in accordance with this section and satisfies the court that modification is justified because an exceptional circumstance has arisen and the court finds modification to be in an adoptee's best interests, the court may modify the agreement.
A court may assign among the parties to a case under this subtitle, as the court considers appropriate, counsel fees and the cost of testing under § 5-3A-06 of this subtitle.
(a) Petitioner. -- Only a child placement agency may petition for guardianship under this subtitle.
(b) Child. -- A court may grant guardianship under this subtitle only for a minor.
(ii) certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws.
(2) each living parent's attorney of record.
(c) Parental address. -- Notice to a parent under this section shall be sent to a parent's last address known to the court.
(a) Requirement. -- On issuance of a show cause order as to guardianship of a child, a petitioner shall serve the order on each of the child's living parents who has not consented to the guardianship.
(2) certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.
(c) Parental address. -- Service on a parent under this section shall be attempted at the parent's last address known to the petitioner.
(1) If a court is satisfied, by affidavit or testimony, that, after reasonable efforts in good faith, a petitioner could not identify a parent or could not effect service on a parent, the court shall order service through notice by publication as to that parent.
"You are hereby notified that a guardianship case has been filed in the circuit court for (county name), case no. (number). All persons who believe themselves to be parents of a (male or female) child born on (date of birth) in (city, state) to (mother's and father's names and dates of birth) shall file a written response. A copy of the show cause order may be obtained from the clerk's office at (address) and (telephone number). If you do not file a written objection by (deadline), you will have agreed to the permanent loss of your parental rights to this child."
(ii) posting for at least 30 days on a website of the Department.
(4) The Department may charge a petitioner a reasonable fee to cover the cost of posting.
Before ruling on a guardianship petition, a court may order any investigation that the court considers necessary.
(a) Maximum limit. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a court shall rule on a guardianship petition under this subtitle within 180 days after the petition is filed.
(2) the filing of a response to an order to show cause.
(3) parental rights have been terminated in compliance with the laws of a state or other jurisdiction, as described in § 5-3A-05 of this subtitle.
(2) may not condition consent or acquiescence on any factor other than placement into a specific family.
(ii) further proceedings under this subtitle.
(v) is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-3A-07(a) of this subtitle stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may revoke consent to guardianship at any time within 30 days after the person signs the consent.
(ii) the child is at least 30 days old and consent is given before a judge on the record.
(ii) if the unit or person fails to enter into a new consent, dismiss the petition.
(a) Authority. -- If all consents for guardianship of a child have been given in accordance with this subtitle, a court may enter an order for guardianship.
(1) Within 5 days after entry of an order under this section, a court shall notify each party to the case who has not waived the right to notice.
(2) Notice under this subsection shall be by first-class mail.
(3) Notice under this subsection shall be sent to a party's last address known to the court.
(2) the waiver, if any, of a parent to notice of further proceedings.
(4) grants guardianship of the individual to a child placement agency.
(1) Unless a court gives legal custody to another person, a child's guardian under this subtitle has legal custody.
(v) medical, psychiatric, or surgical treatment.
(ii) a court does not enter a final order of adoption within 2 years after the placement.
(2) A report under this subsection shall state each reason for the delay in placement or adoption.
(ii) if a court appointed counsel for the child under this subtitle, to the child's last attorney of record.
(ii) take all actions that the court considers to be in the child's best interests.
(2) Each year after a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection until the court's jurisdiction terminates, the court shall hold another review hearing.
(iii) if the unit or person cannot be located after exhaustion of the service requirements under § 5-3A-15 of this subtitle, ask the court to determine whether it is in the child's best interests to continue the guardianship despite the inability to fulfill the condition.
(a) Age limit. -- Unless terminated sooner, a court retains jurisdiction over a child until the child attains 18 years of age.
(b) Adoption order. -- An order for adoption of a child terminates the child's guardianship case.
(a) Age. -- Any adult may petition a court for an adoption under this subtitle.
(b) Minimum period of placement. -- A petitioner may petition for adoption of a child 180 days or more after a child placement agency places the child with the petitioner.
(2) If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of a final order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
A petitioner for adoption under this subtitle shall give notice of the filing of an adoption petition to each person whose consent is required.
(2) the relationship between the petitioner and child.
A court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this subtitle.
(2) the report required under § 5-3A-31 of this subtitle.
(b) Marriage. -- In ruling on an adoption petition under this Part III of this subtitle, a court may not deny the petition solely because the petitioner is single or unmarried.
(2) for a child who is at least 10 years old, the child consents.
(iii) the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle.
(ii) 14 days after the adoption petition is filed.
(2) A child who is at least 10 years old may revoke consent at any time before a court enters an order of adoption under this subtitle.
(b) Effect on pending cases. -- An order for adoption under this subtitle terminates all pending guardianship cases as to the adoptee.
(iii) the former guardian of the child.
(2) Service on a parent under this subsection shall be at the parent's last address known to the court.
If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under this subtitle on the basis of a jurisdictional or procedural defect is filed more than 1 year after entry of the order, a court shall dismiss the petition.
(b) Compilation of parental history. -- On request of a prospective adoptive parent, a child placement agency shall make reasonable efforts to compile a pertinent medical and mental health history of each of the prospective adoptee's parents, if available to the agency, and to make the history available to the prospective adoptive parent.
(1) If, after adoption, a child placement agency receives medical or mental health information about the adoptee or adoptee's former parent, the agency shall make reasonable efforts to make the information available to the adoptive parent.
(2) If, after adoption, the adoptive parent requests additional information, the child placement agency shall make reasonable efforts to notify the former parent, at the former parent's last known address available to the agency, of the request and the reason for the request.
(d) Exclusion of identifying information. -- A medical or mental health history compiled under this section may not contain identifying information as to a parent.
(1) (i) On request of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent of an adoptee and without a showing of a need, a child placement agency shall provide information, other than identifying information, in its adoption record on the adoptee.
(ii) If a child placement agency denies a request under this paragraph, then on petition of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent and without a showing of need, a court shall order access for the petitioner to inspect, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the agency's record on the adoptee.
(2) On petition of an adoptee or adoptive or former parent of an adoptee and without a showing of need, a court shall order access for the petitioner to inspect, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the court's record on the adoptee.
(b) Protection of identifying information. -- A court may not order opened for inspection under this section any part of a record that contains identifying information.
(a) Hearing on need. -- If, after a hearing on petition of an adoptee or former parent, a court is satisfied that the adoptee or blood relative of the adoptee or former parent urgently needs medical information not in agency and court records, the court may appoint an intermediary to try to contact the adoptee or a former parent of the adoptee for the information.
(c) Report to court. -- An intermediary appointed under this section shall file with the appointing court a confidential written report on the intermediary's efforts to contact an adoptee or former parent.
(2) medical information that the adoptee or former parent provided.
(e) Compensation. -- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a court may order an adoptee or former parent to pay a reasonable fee for the services of an intermediary under this section.
(b) Scope of section. -- This section applies only to an adoption in which a court enters an order for adoption on or after January 1, 2000.
(4) Whenever an adoptee applies for a record, the Secretary shall redact from the copy all information as to the biological parent, if that parent has filed a disclosure veto in accordance with this section.
(5) The Secretary shall give each applicant under this section notice of the adoption search, contact, and reunion services available under this title.
§ 5-3A-43. Access for adoptive parent.
(b) Identifying information. -- "Identifying information" means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.
(d) Prospective adoptee. -- "Prospective adoptee" means an individual who is the subject of a petition for adoption under this subtitle.
(a) Application. -- This subtitle applies only to an adoption that is arranged other than by a child placement agency.
(2) pending on January 1, 2006.
(6) protect adoptive parents from future disturbances of their relationships with adoptees by former parents.
(2) After a request of a party or claimant and before ruling on a petition for adoption under this subtitle, a court shall hold a hearing on the issue of paternity.
(ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent to adoption, is still a minor.
(ii) when the prospective adoptee must decide whether to consent to adoption, is at least 10 years old.
(2) To determine whether a disability makes a prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the prospective adoptee.
(2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same adoption case.
(ii) the adoptee and adoptive parent.
(d) Effect of noncompliance. -- Failure to comply with a condition of an agreement made under this section is not a ground for revoking consent to, or setting aside an order for, adoption.
(2) adoption counseling or guidance for a reasonable time.
(b) Other costs. -- Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a court may assign among the parties to a case under this subtitle counsel fees, counseling or guidance fees, and costs of testing under § 5-3B-05 of this subtitle, as the court considers appropriate.
A party to a case under this subtitle may appeal to the Court of Special Appeals from an interlocutory or final order.
(2) the court, by order, sanctions the placement pending final action on the petition.
(a) Eligible adoptee. -- Any adult or minor may be adopted under this subtitle.
(1) Any adult may petition a court for adoption.
2. has consented to the adoption in accordance with this subtitle.
(c) Pending case. -- Before a petition is filed under this subtitle, a petitioner shall move for, and a court shall order that, a case pending under Subtitle 3 of this title be closed.
(d) Amended petition. -- If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order under this subtitle, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
A court shall give notice of the filing of an adoption petition to each individual whose consent has been filed under this subtitle and who has not waived the right to notice.
(a) Scope of section. -- Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to an adoption by a spouse of the prospective adoptee's parent or a relative of the prospective adoptee.
(2) receive adoption counseling and guidance.
(2) if the prospective adoptee is at least 10 years old and has not consented to the adoption, on the prospective adoptee.
(e) Parental address. -- Service under this section shall be attempted at the parent's last address known to the petitioner.
"You are hereby notified that an adoption case has been filed in the circuit court for (county name), case no. (number). All persons who believe themselves to be parents of a (male or female) child born on (date of birth) in (city, state) to (mother's and father's names and dates of birth) shall file a written response. A copy of the show-cause order may be obtained from the clerk's office at (address) and (telephone number). If you do not file a written objection by (deadline), you will have agreed to the permanent loss of your parental rights to this child."
(a) In general. -- Before ruling on a consensual adoption petition under § 5-3B-20(1) of this subtitle, a court may order any investigation that the court considers necessary.
A court may not enter an order for adoption under this subtitle until expiration of the revocation period.
(2) any report prepared for the court.
(2) in accordance with § 5-3B-22 of this subtitle, the court orders adoption without consent otherwise required under this section.
(vii) is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-3B-06 of this subtitle stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability gives consent knowingly and voluntarily.
(1) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a parent may revoke consent at any time within 30 days after the parent signs the consent.
2. the child is at least 30 days old and consent is given before a judge on the record.
(2) A prospective adoptee may revoke consent at any time before a court enters an order of adoption under this subtitle.
(a) Scope of section. -- This section applies only if a parent affirmatively withholds consent by filing a notice of objection.
6. has, other than by consent, lost parental rights to a sibling of the prospective adoptee.
(2) If a court finds that an act or circumstance listed in paragraph (1)(iii)3 or 5 of this subsection exists, the court shall make a specific finding, based on facts in the record, whether return of the prospective adoptee to the custody of the parent poses an unacceptable risk to the prospective adoptee's safety.
(ii) consider the report required under § 5-3B-16 of this subtitle.
(2) has been deprived of custody of a prospective adoptee by an act of the other parent.
(a) Scope of section. -- This section does not apply to an adoption by the spouse of the prospective adoptee's parent or a relative of the prospective adoptee.
(b) Requirement. -- A court may not enter an order under this subtitle until the petitioner files with the court an accounting of all payments and disbursements of any item of value made by or for the petitioner in connection with the adoption.
(a) Distribution by will. -- This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will.
(3) the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.
If a petition to invalidate an order under this subtitle on the basis of a jurisdictional or procedural defect is filed more than 1 year after entry of the order, a court shall dismiss the petition.
(a) Hearing on need. -- If, after a hearing on petition of an adoptee or former parent, a court is satisfied that the adoptee or blood relative of the adoptee or former parent urgently needs medical information not in court records, the court may appoint an intermediary to try to contact the adoptee or a former parent of the adoptee for the information.
§ 5-3B-30. Access for adoptive parent.
(b) Construction of section. -- This section does not prohibit payment, by an interested person, of a reasonable and customary charge or fee for adoption counseling, hospital, legal, or medical services.
NOTE: this subtitle is not reviewed as part of the Maryland Adoption Law.

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