reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4B-12 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4B - Adoption Search, Contact, and Reunion Services|Section 5-4B-12 - Regulations

    The Director shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle, including regulations concerning:         (1)    the application process for search, contact, and reunion services;        (2)    qualifications for a confidential intermediary;        (3)    the agreement for search, contact, and reunion services executed by a confidential intermediary and an adopted individual, biological parent, or sibling; and        (4)    the delivery and scope of search, contact, and reunion services.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-01 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-01 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Administration” means the Social Services Administration of the Department.    (c)    “Adoptee” means an individual:        (1)    who was adopted in this State; or        (2)    who was placed for adoption by:            (i)    a child placement agency licensed in this State; or            (ii)    a local department.    (d)    “Director” means the Director of the Administration.    (e)    “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an adoptee, the natural parents of an adoptee, or a natural sibling.    (f)    Repealed.    (g)    “Natural father” means a man who:        (1)    was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of conception;        (2)    was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of the adoptee’s birth;        (3)    was named as the father on the adoptee’s pre-adoption birth certificate, unless the man has signed a denial of paternity or his nonpaternity has been determined by a court;        (4)    was identified by the natural mother as the father of the adoptee, unless the man has signed a denial of paternity or his nonpaternity has been determined by a court;        (5)    has been adjudicated to be the father of the adoptee; or        (6)    has acknowledged himself orally or in writing to be the father of the adoptee.    (h)    “Natural sibling” means an individual who is at least 21 years old and shares 1 or both natural parents with an adoptee.    (i)    “Registry” means the Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-02 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-02 - Purpose of Subtitle

    The purpose of this subtitle is to:         (1)    establish within the Administration a Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry where natural parents, adoptees, and natural siblings may register if they wish to have identifying information released to each other; and        (2)    provide for the disclosure of identifying information to natural parents, adoptees, and natural siblings who have registered with the Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-03 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-03 - Duties of Director

    (a)    The Director shall:        (1)    establish and maintain a Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry;        (2)    adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle; and        (3)    set and assess a reasonable fee for registrants, except that an individual may not be denied registration solely because of an inability to pay the fee.    (b)    The Director may contract with child placement agencies in this State to perform specific duties under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-04 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-04 - Confidentiality

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, or pursuant to a court order, the Administration may not disclose information contained in the Registry.    (b)    The Administration shall retain affidavits and other information collected concerning a registrant until the date specified by the registrant, or for 99 years after the date of registration, whichever occurs first.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-05 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-05 - Individuals Permitted to Register

    Only the following individuals may register with the Registry:         (1)    an adoptee:            (i)    who is at least 21 years of age; and            (ii)    who does not have a natural sibling under the age of 21 years who has the same adoptive parents;        (2)    a natural mother;        (3)    a natural father; and        (4)    a natural sibling.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-06 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-06 - Affidavits; Required Information

    (a)    (1)    To register with the Registry, an individual shall submit a notarized affidavit containing the following information:            (i)    the individual’s current name and any previous name by which the individual was known;            (ii)    the individual’s address and telephone number;            (iii)    if the individual is a natural parent of the adoptee, the original and adopted names, if known, of the adoptee;            (iv)    if the individual is an adoptee who is seeking information regarding the adoptee’s natural parents, any names, if known, by which the natural parents are or were known;            (v)    if the individual is an adoptee who is seeking information regarding a natural sibling, any names, if known, by which the natural sibling is or was known;            (vi)    if known, the place and date of birth of the adoptee;            (vii)    if known, the name and address of the child placement agency, if any, that placed the adoptee;            (viii)    if known, the names of the adoptive parents of the adoptee;            (ix)    the name and address of the court that issued the adoption or guardianship order; and            (x)    a statement of the individual’s consent to be identified to other registrants.        (2)    A registrant shall notify the Administration of changes in information occurring after the affidavit is filed.        (3)    A registrant may withdraw from the Registry at any time by submitting a notarized affidavit to that effect to the Administration.    (b)    (1)    The Administration shall obtain information necessary for identifying an adoptee, a natural mother of an adoptee, a natural father, or a natural sibling.        (2)    The Administration may not obtain information regarding:            (i)    the adoptive parents of the adoptee;            (ii)    a child of the adoptive parents who is not a natural sibling; or            (iii)    the financial status of the adoptive parents of the adoptee.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-4C-07 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry|Section 5-4C-07 - Matches

    (a)    On receipt of an affidavit, the Administration shall:        (1)    attempt to match registrants or to provide matching information; and        (2)    if a match is made, direct the child placement agency, if known, or the local department, if there is no known child placement agency, to notify the registrants through a confidential contact.    (b)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a match is made when:            (i)    an adoptee and the adoptee’s natural mother and natural father register; or            (ii)    2 or more natural siblings register.        (2)    A match is made when an adoptee and only 1 natural parent of the adoptee register if:            (i)    notice of the filing of the petition for adoption or guardianship was given to the nonregistering parent and the parent did not participate in the judicial proceedings that terminated the parent-child relationship or declared the parent-child relationship was nonexistent;            (ii)    an adoptee and the natural mother of the adoptee register and there is no known natural father;            (iii)    the natural mother of the adoptee, or in the case of an agency adoption, the agency submits, or the Administration obtains from a court of competent jurisdiction in the state of the adoptee’s birth or adoption, a copy of a judgment that declares that the identity of the natural father is unknown;            (iv)    the Administration has information that indicates that the other natural parent is dead;            (v)    notice of the filing of the petition for adoption or guardianship was not given to the nonregistering natural parent of the adoptee; or            (vi)    1 year has elapsed since the registering natural parent filed the affidavit and the nonregistering natural parent has not filed a notarized affidavit stating the nonregistering parent’s refusal to permit the match.        (3)    Matching information is provided:            (i)    if both natural parents are deceased; and            (ii)    if only an adoptee has registered.    (c)    (1)    In order to make a match or provide matching information, the Administration may inquire into the records of a child placement agency or court that issued an adoption or guardianship order.        (2)    The court that issued the adoption order shall order that the Administration have access to court records on receipt of a petition from the Administration that states that review of the records is needed in order to make a match or to provide matching information under this section.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-601 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-601 - Compact Entered Into; General Provisions

    The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is hereby entered into by this State with all states legally joining in the compact in the form substantially as follows:        (1)    Financial responsibility for any child placed pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of § 5–606 of this subtitle. However, in the event of partial or complete default of performance thereunder, the provisions of state laws fixing responsibility for the support of children also may be invoked.        (2)    The “appropriate public authorities” as used in § 5–604 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children shall, with reference to this State, mean the Department of Human Services. This Department shall receive and act with reference to notices required by § 5–604 of this subtitle.        (3)    As used in § 5–606(a) of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the phrase “appropriate authority in the receiving state” with reference to this State shall mean the Department of Human Services.        (4)    The officers and agencies of this State and its subdivisions having authority to place children are hereby empowered to enter into agreements with appropriate officers or agencies of or in other party states pursuant to § 5–606(b) of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Any such agreement which contains a financial commitment or imposes a financial obligation on this State or subdivision or agency thereof shall not be binding unless it has the approval in writing of the Department of Human Services.        (5)    Any requirements for visitation, inspection or supervision of children, homes, institutions or other agencies in another party state which may apply shall be deemed to be met if performed pursuant to an agreement entered into by appropriate officers or agencies of this State or a subdivision thereof as contemplated by § 5–606(b) of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.        (6)    Any provisions of law restricting out–of–state placement shall not apply to placements made pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.        (7)    Any court having jurisdiction to place delinquent children may place such a child in an institution of or in another state pursuant to § 5–607 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and shall retain jurisdiction as provided in § 5–606 of this subtitle.        (8)    As used in § 5–608 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the term “executive head” means the Governor. The Governor is hereby authorized to appoint a compact administrator in accordance with the terms of § 5–608 of this subtitle.        (9)    The definitions in § 1–101 of this article do not apply to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children set forth in this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-602 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-602 - Purpose and Policy

    It is the purpose and policy of the party states to cooperate with each other in the interstate placement of children to the end that:         (1)    Each child requiring placement shall receive the maximum opportunity to be placed in a suitable environment and with persons or institutions having appropriate qualifications and facilities to provide a necessary and desirable degree and type of care.        (2)    The appropriate authorities in a state where a child is to be placed may have full opportunity to ascertain the circumstances of the proposed placement, thereby promoting full compliance with applicable requirements for the protection of the child.        (3)    The proper authorities of the state from which the placement is made may obtain the most complete information on the basis of which to evaluate a projected placement before it is made.        (4)    Appropriate jurisdictional arrangements for the care of children will be promoted.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-603 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-603 - Definitions

    As used in this compact:         (1)    “Child” means a person who, by reason of minority, is legally subject to parental, guardianship or similar control.        (2)    “Sending agency” means a party state, officer or employee thereof; a subdivision of a party state, or officer or employee thereof; a court of a party state; a person, corporation, association, charitable agency or other entity which sends, brings, or causes to be sent or brought any child to another party state.        (3)    “Receiving state” means the state to which a child is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought, whether by public authorities or private persons or agencies, and whether for placement with state or local public authorities or for placement with private agencies or persons.        (4)    “Placement” means the arrangement for the care of a child in a family free or boarding home or in a child-caring agency or institution but does not include any institution caring for the mentally ill, mentally defective or epileptic or any institution primarily educational in character, and any hospital or other medical facility.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-604 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-604 - Procedure Before Sending Child Into State

    (a)    No sending agency shall send, bring, or cause to be sent or brought into any other party state any child for placement in foster care or as a preliminary to a possible adoption unless the sending agency shall comply with each and every requirement set forth in this section and with the applicable laws of the receiving state governing the placement of children therein.    (b)    Prior to sending, bringing or causing any child to be sent or brought into a receiving state for placement in foster care or as a preliminary to a possible adoption, the sending agency shall furnish the appropriate public authorities in the receiving state written notice of the intention to send, bring, or place the child in the receiving state. The notice shall contain:        (1)    the name, date and place of birth of the child.        (2)    the identity and address or addresses of the parents or legal guardian.        (3)    the name and address of the person, agency or institution to or with which the sending agency proposes to send, bring, or place the child.        (4)    a full statement of the reasons for such proposed action and evidence of the authority pursuant to which the placement is proposed to be made.    (c)    Any public officer or agency in a receiving state which is in receipt of a notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may request of the sending agency, or any other appropriate officer or agency of or in the sending agency’s state, and shall be entitled to receive therefrom such supporting or additional information as it may deem necessary under the circumstances to carry out the purpose and policy of this compact.    (d)    The child shall not be sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought into the receiving state until the appropriate public authorities in the receiving state shall notify the sending agency, in writing, to the effect that the proposed placement does not appear to be contrary to the interests of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-605 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-605 - Penalties for Violation of Compact

    The sending, bringing, or causing to be sent or brought into any receiving state of a child in violation of the terms of this compact shall constitute a violation of the laws respecting the placement of children of both the state in which the sending agency is located or from which it sends or brings the child and of the receiving state. Such violation may be punished or subjected to penalty in either jurisdiction in accordance with its laws. In addition to liability for any such punishment or penalty, any such violation shall constitute full and sufficient grounds for the suspension or revocation of any license, permit, or other legal authorization held by the sending agency which empowers or allows it to place, or care for children.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-606 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-606 - Sending Agency to Retain Jurisdiction Over Child; Agreements for Services; Authority of Private Charitable Agencies; Financial Responsibility

    (a)    The sending agency shall retain jurisdiction over the child sufficient to determine all matters in relation to the custody, supervision, care, treatment and disposition of the child which it would have had if the child had remained in the sending agency’s state, until the child is adopted, reaches majority, becomes self-supporting or is discharged with the concurrence of the appropriate authority in the receiving state. Such jurisdiction shall also include the power to effect or cause the return of the child or its transfer to another location and custody pursuant to law. The sending agency shall continue to have financial responsibility for support and maintenance of the child during the period of the placement. Nothing contained herein shall defeat a claim of jurisdiction by a receiving state sufficient to deal with an act of delinquency or crime committed therein.    (b)    When the sending agency is a public agency, it may enter into an agreement with an authorized public or private agency in the receiving state providing for the performance of one or more services in respect of such case by the latter as agent for the sending agency.    (c)    Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prevent a private charitable agency authorized to place children in the receiving state from performing services or acting as agent in that state for a private charitable agency of the sending state; nor to prevent the agency in the receiving state from discharging financial responsibility for the support and maintenance of a child who has been placed on behalf of the sending agency without relieving the responsibility set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-607 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-607 - Placement of Delinquent Children

    A child adjudicated delinquent may be placed in an institution in another party jurisdiction pursuant to this compact but no such placement shall be made unless the child is given a court hearing on notice to the parent or guardian with opportunity to be heard, prior to the child being sent to such other party jurisdiction for institutional care and the court finds that:         (1)    equivalent facilities for the child are not available in the sending agency’s jurisdiction; and        (2)    institutional care in the other jurisdiction is in the best interest of the child and will not produce undue hardship.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-608 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-608 - Designation and Powers of General Coordinator of Activities

    The executive head of each jurisdiction party to this compact shall designate an officer who shall be general coordinator of activities under this compact in that jurisdiction and who, acting jointly with like officers of other party jurisdictions, shall have power to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-609 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-609 - Applicability of Compact

    This compact shall not apply to:         (1)    the sending or bringing of a child into a receiving state by the child’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, adult brother or sister, adult uncle or aunt, or guardian and leaving the child with any such relative or non-agency guardian in the receiving state.        (2)    any placement, sending or bringing of a child into a receiving state pursuant to any other interstate compact to which both the state from which the child is sent or brought and the receiving state are party, or to any other agreement between said states which has the force of law.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-610 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children|Section 5-610 - Joinder by Other Jurisdiction; Withdrawal From Compact

    This compact shall be open to joinder by any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and with the consent of Congress, the government of Canada or any province thereof. It shall become effective with respect to any such jurisdiction when such jurisdiction has enacted the same into law. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until two years after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the governor of each other party jurisdiction. Withdrawal of a party state shall not affect the rights, duties and obligations under this compact of any sending agency therein with respect to a placement made prior to the effective date of withdrawal.