reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-14 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-14 - Notice of Filing

    (a)    Within 5 days after a petition for guardianship of a child is filed with a court, the clerk shall send a copy of the petition and notice of filing to:        (1)    each of the child’s living parents who has not waived the right to notice; and        (2)    each living parent’s attorney of record.    (b)    Notice under this section shall be by first-class mail.    (c)    Notice to a parent under this section shall be sent to a parent’s last address known to the court.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-15 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-15 - Order to Show Cause

    (a)    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.    (b)    Service under this section shall be by:        (1)    personal service; or        (2)    certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.    (c)    Service on a parent under this section shall be attempted at the parent’s last address known to the petitioner.    (d)    (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.        (2)    Notice under this subsection shall consist of substantially the following statement:    To: (Father’s name)  To:�(Mother’s name)  To:�Unknown 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.”        (3)    Service under this subsection shall be by:            (i)    publication at least once in one or more newspapers in general circulation in the county where the parent last resided or, if unknown, where the petition is filed; and            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-16 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-16 - Investigation

    Before ruling on a guardianship petition, a court may order any investigation that the court considers necessary.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-17 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-17 - Time Limits

    (a)    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.    (b)    A court may not enter a final order for guardianship under this subtitle until the later of expiration of the time for:        (1)    revocation of consent; or        (2)    the filing of a response to an order to show cause.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-18 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-18 - Authority to Grant Guardianship

    (a)    A court may grant a guardianship of a child only if:        (1)    each of the child’s living parents consents:            (i)    in writing; or            (ii)    by failure to timely file notice of objection after being served with a show–cause order in accordance with this subtitle;        (2)    an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction has granted a governmental unit or person other than a parent the power to consent to adoption, and the governmental unit or person consents; or        (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.    (b)    A governmental unit or person:        (1)    may condition consent or acquiescence on adoption into a specific family that a child placement agency has approved for the placement; but        (2)    may not condition consent or acquiescence on any factor other than placement into a specific family.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-19 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-19 - Consent

    (a)    (1)    Consent of a parent may include a waiver of the right to notice of:            (i)    the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and            (ii)    further proceedings under this subtitle.        (2)    Consent to guardianship is not valid unless the consent:            (i)    is given after the child for whom guardianship is sought is born;            (ii)    is given in a language that the party understands;            (iii)    if given in a language other than English:                1.    is given before a judge on the record; or                2.    is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;            (iv)    contains an express notice of:                1.    the right to revoke consent, at any time within 30 days after the person signs the consent, unless the revocation is barred under subsection (b)(2) of this section;                2.    the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and                3.    the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle; and            (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.    (b)    (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.        (2)    A parent may not revoke consent for guardianship of a child if:            (i)    in the preceding year, the parent has revoked consent for or filed a notice of objection to guardianship of the child; and            (ii)    the child is at least 30 days old and consent is given before a judge on the record.    (c)    If a petitioner becomes aware, before a court rules on a petition, that a condition of consent under § 5-3A-18(b) of this subtitle cannot be fulfilled, the petitioner promptly shall:        (1)    file notice with the court;        (2)    give notice to all of the other parties;        (3)    if consent was received from a governmental unit or person who is not a party, give notice to that unit or person; and        (4)    (i)    if the unit or person enters into a new consent, file the consent with the court; or            (ii)    if the unit or person fails to enter into a new consent, dismiss the petition.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-20 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-20 - Grant of Guardianship -- Consensual

    (a)    If all consents for guardianship of a child have been given in accordance with this subtitle, a court may enter an order for guardianship.    (b)    (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-21 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-21 - Contents of Order

    In an order entered under this subtitle, a court shall document:         (1)    the response by each party to the guardianship petition; and        (2)    the waiver, if any, of a parent to notice of further proceedings.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-22 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-22 - Effects of Order for Guardianship

    (a)    An order for guardianship of an individual:        (1)    except as provided in § 5-3A-23 of this subtitle, § 4-414 of the Estates and Trusts Article, and § 2-123 of the Real Property Article, terminates a parent’s duties, obligations, and rights toward the individual;        (2)    eliminates the need for notice to a parent as to the filing of an adoption petition;        (3)    eliminates the need for further consent of a parent to adoption of the individual; and        (4)    grants guardianship of the individual to a child placement agency.    (b)    (1)    Unless a court gives legal custody to another person, a child’s guardian under this subtitle has legal custody.        (2)    Unless a court orders otherwise and subject to review by the court, a child’s guardian may make all decisions affecting the child’s education, health, and welfare, including consenting to:            (i)    adoption of the child;            (ii)    application by the child for a driver’s license;            (iii)    enlistment by the child in the armed forces;            (iv)    marriage of the child; and            (v)    medical, psychiatric, or surgical treatment.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-23 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-23 - Guardianship Review

    (a)    (1)    A child placement agency shall file a written report with a court with jurisdiction over a child whenever:            (i)    the child placement agency fails to place the child for adoption with a preadoptive parent, as defined in § 3-823(i)(1) of the Courts Article:                1.    within 270 days after being awarded guardianship; or                2.    within 180 days after permanently removing the child from another placement; or            (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.    (b)    (1)    Whenever a child placement agency files a report under this section, the child placement agency shall mail notice of the child’s status:            (i)    to each of the child’s living parents who has not waived the right to notice and, if represented, counsel; and            (ii)    if a court appointed counsel for the child under this subtitle, to the child’s last attorney of record.        (2)    A waiver of rights under this subsection is not valid unless the waiver appears expressly in:            (i)    the parent’s consent to guardianship; and            (ii)    the guardianship order.    (c)    (1)    Whenever a court receives a report under this section, the court shall hold a hearing to:            (i)    review the progress that the child placement agency has made toward adoption of the child; and            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-24 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-24 - Failed Conditional Consent During Guardianship

    If a petitioner becomes aware, after a court rules on a petition, that a condition of consent under § 5-3A-18(b) of this subtitle cannot be fulfilled, the petitioner promptly shall:         (1)    file notice with the court;        (2)    give notice to all of the other parties;        (3)    if consent was received from a governmental unit or person who is not a party, give notice to that unit or person; and        (4)    (i)    if the unit or person enters into a new consent, file the consent with the court;            (ii)    if the unit or person fails to enter into a new consent, ask the court to set aside the guardianship order; or            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-25 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part II - Guardianship Proceeding|Section 5-3A-25 - Termination of Guardianship

    (a)    Unless terminated sooner, a court retains jurisdiction over a child until the child attains 18 years of age.    (b)    An order for adoption of a child terminates the child’s guardianship case.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-29 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-29 - Petitioner

    (a)    Any adult may petition a court for an adoption under this subtitle.    (b)    A petitioner may petition for adoption of a child 180 days or more after a child placement agency places the child with the petitioner.    (c)    (1)    If a petitioner under this section is married, the petitioner’s spouse shall join in the petition unless the spouse:            (i)    is separated from the petitioner under a circumstance that gives the petitioner a ground for annulment or divorce; or            (ii)    is not competent to join in the petition.        (2)    If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of a final order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-30 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-30 - Notice of Filing

    A petitioner for adoption under this subtitle shall give notice of the filing of an adoption petition to each person whose consent is required.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-31 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-31 - Report

    Before a court enters an order for adoption of a child under this subtitle, a child placement agency shall file a written report on:         (1)    the suitability of the petitioner to adopt the child; and        (2)    the relationship between the petitioner and child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-32 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-32 - Hearing on Adoption Petition

    A court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-33 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-33 - Time Limits

    A court may not enter an order for adoption under this subtitle until 30 days after entry of a guardianship order under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-34 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-34 - Considerations

    (a)    In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, a court shall consider:        (1)    all factors necessary to determine the child’s best interests; and        (2)    the report required under § 5-3A-31 of this subtitle.    (b)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-35 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-35 - Authority to Grant Adoption

    (a)    A court may enter an order for a child’s adoption under this subtitle only if:        (1)    the child placement agency consents; and        (2)    for a child who is at least 10 years old, the child consents.    (b)    (1)    (i)    In this subsection, “disability” means:                1.    a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities;                2.    a record of having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities; or                3.    being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities.            (ii)    “Disability” shall be construed in accordance with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, P.L. 110–325.        (2)    A child placement agency may not withhold consent for the sole reason that:            (i)    the race, religion, color, or national origin of a prospective adoptive parent differs from that of the child or parent; or            (ii)    a prospective adoptive parent has a disability.    (c)    Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:        (1)    the consent is given in a language that the party understands;        (2)    if given in a language other than English, the consent:            (i)    is given before a judge on the record; or            (ii)    is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;        (3)    the consent names the child;        (4)    the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent; and        (5)    the party has received written notice or on-the-record notice of:            (i)    the revocation provisions in this section;            (ii)    the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and            (iii)    the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle.    (d)    (1)    A child placement agency may revoke consent at any time within the later of:            (i)    14 days after the child placement agency signs the consent; or            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-36 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-36 - Order for Adoption

    (a)    (1)    This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will.        (2)    Except as provided in § 2-123 of the Real Property Article, after a court enters an order for adoption under this subtitle:            (i)    the adoptee:                1.    is the child of the adoptive parent for all intents and purposes; and                2.    is entitled to all of the rights and privileges of and is subject to all of the obligations of offspring born to the adoptive parent;            (ii)    each of the adoptee’s living parents is:                1.    relieved of all parental duties and obligations to the adoptee; and                2.    divested of all parental rights as to the adoptee; and            (iii)    the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.    (b)    An order for adoption under this subtitle terminates all pending guardianship cases as to the adoptee.    (c)    Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.    (d)    (1)    When a court enters an order for a child’s adoption under this subtitle, the court shall send notice to:            (i)    each court that has a pending guardianship case as to the adoptee;            (ii)    each of the child’s living, former parents who has not waived the right to notice; and            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-37 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part III - Adoption|Section 5-3A-37 - Petition to Invalidate

    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3A-39 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption|Part IV - Access to Adoption Records|Section 5-3A-39 - Medical and Mental Health Information

    (a)    A child placement agency shall make reasonable efforts to compile and make available to a prospective adoptive parent:        (1)    all of the prospective adoptee’s medical and mental health records that the agency has; or        (2)    a comprehensive medical and mental health history of the prospective adoptee.    (b)    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.    (c)    (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)    A medical or mental health history compiled under this section may not contain identifying information as to a parent.