reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-20 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-20 - Authority to Grant Adoption

    A court may enter an order for adoption only if:        (1)    (i)    1.    each of the prospective adoptee’s living parents consents:                A.    in writing; or                B.    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 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 § 5–3B–04 of this subtitle; and            (ii)    if the prospective adoptee is at least 10 years old, the prospective adoptee consents; or        (2)    in accordance with § 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, the court orders adoption without consent otherwise required under this section.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-21 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-21 - Consent

    (a)    (1)    Consent of a parent may include a waiver of rights to notice of:            (i)    the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and            (ii)    further proceedings under this subtitle.        (2)    Consent to adoption under this subtitle is not valid unless the consent:            (i)    is given after the prospective adoptee 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 consent is signed;                2.    the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3B-29 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, siblings, and parents under Subtitle 4B of this title; and                3.    the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3B-29 of this subtitle;            (v)    except as to an adoption by a spouse of the prospective adoptee’s parent or a relative of the prospective adoptee, states that the parent has been advised of the parent’s rights to:                1.    have independent counsel; and                2.    receive adoption counseling and guidance;            (vi)    states whether the parent chose to have or not have counsel or counseling; and            (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.    (b)    (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.            (ii)    A parent may not revoke consent for adoption of a prospective adoptee if:                1.    in the preceding year, the parent has revoked consent for or filed a notice of objection to adoption of the prospective adoptee; and                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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-22 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-22 - Nonconsensual Adoption

    (a)    This section applies only if a parent affirmatively withholds consent by filing a notice of objection.    (b)    (1)    A court may allow adoption, without parental consent otherwise required under this subtitle, by a petitioner who has exercised physical care, control, or custody over the prospective adoptee for at least 180 days, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that:            (i)    the parent has not had custody of the prospective adoptee for at least 1 year;            (ii)    the prospective adoptee has significant emotional ties to and feelings for the petitioner; and            (iii)    the parent:                1.    has not maintained meaningful contact with the prospective adoptee while the petitioner had custody, notwithstanding an opportunity to do so;                2.    has failed to contribute to the prospective adoptee’s physical care and support, notwithstanding the ability to do so;                3.    has subjected the prospective adoptee to:                A.    chronic abuse;                B.    chronic and life–threatening neglect;                C.    sexual abuse; or                D.    torture;                4.    has been convicted of abuse of any offspring;                5.    has been convicted, in any state or any court of the United States, of:                A.    a crime of violence against:                I.    a minor offspring of the parent;                II.    the child; or                III.    another parent of the child; or                B.    aiding or abetting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit a crime described in item A of this item; or                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.        (3)    In determining whether it is in the best interests of a prospective adoptee to terminate a parent’s rights under this subsection, a court shall:            (i)    give primary consideration to the health and safety of the prospective adoptee; and            (ii)    consider the report required under § 5–3B–16 of this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-23 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-23 - Custody

    A court may not grant a petition under § 5-3B-22 of this subtitle solely because a parent:         (1)    does not have legal custody of a prospective adoptee by reason of a divorce or legal separation; or        (2)    has been deprived of custody of a prospective adoptee by an act of the other parent.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-24 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-24 - Accounting

    (a)    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)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-25 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-25 - Effects of Order for Adoption

    (a)    This subsection does not limit the right of an individual to provide for distribution of property by will.    (b)    Except as provided in § 2-123 of the Real Property Article, after a court enters an order for adoption under this subtitle:        (1)    the adoptee:            (i)    is the offspring of the adoptive parent for all intents and purposes; and            (ii)    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;        (2)    each of the adoptee’s living parents is:            (i)    relieved of all parental duties and obligations to the adoptee; and            (ii)    divested of all parental rights as to the adoptee; and        (3)    the Estates and Trusts Article shall govern all of the rights of inheritance between the adoptee and parental relatives.    (c)    Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-26 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part II - Adoption Proceedings|Section 5-3B-26 - Petition to Invalidate

    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-28 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part III - Access to Adoption Records|Section 5-3B-28 - Urgently Needed Medical Information

    (a)    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.    (b)    An intermediary appointed under this section:        (1)    only may advise an adoptee or former parent of the need for medical information; and        (2)    may not:            (i)    reveal any identifying information about an adoptee or former parent; or            (ii)    try, in any manner, to encourage or discourage contact between an adoptee and former parent.    (c)    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.    (d)    When a court receives a report from an intermediary, the court may disclose to the adoptee or former parent, without revealing identifying information about the adoptee or any former parent:        (1)    whether the intermediary advised the adoptee or a former parent about the need for medical information; and        (2)    medical information that the adoptee or a former parent provided.    (e)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-30 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part III - Access to Adoption Records|Section 5-3B-30 - Access for Adoptive Parent

    (a)    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)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-3B-32 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption|Part IV - Prohibited Acts|Section 5-3B-32 - Prohibited Payments

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided by law, a person may not charge or receive, from or for a parent or prospective adoptive parent, any compensation for a service in connection with:        (1)    placement of an individual to live with a preadoptive family; or        (2)    an agreement for custody in contemplation of adoption.    (b)    This section does not prohibit payment, by an interested person, of:        (1)    a reasonable and customary charge or fee for adoption counseling, hospital, legal, or medical services;        (2)    reasonable expenses for transportation for medical care associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child;        (3)    reasonable expenses for food, clothing, and shelter for a birth mother if, on written advice of a physician, the birth mother is unable to work or otherwise support herself because of medical reasons associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child; or        (4)    reasonable expenses associated with any required court appearance relating to the adoption, including transportation, food, and lodging expenses.    (c)    Each State’s Attorney shall enforce this section.    (d)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part I - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 5-401 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Administration” means the Social Services Administration of the Department.    (c)    “Eligible child” means a minor as to whom:        (1)    (i)    guardianship has been awarded to a child placement agency under Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 3A of this title; or            (ii)    consensual adoption has been ordered under § 5–338 of this title; and        (2)    a determination has been made by a local department under § 5–403 of this subtitle that a subsidy is necessary to ensure the child’s adoption because of the child’s special circumstances.    (d)    “Subsidy” means:        (1)    a money payment;        (2)    medical care;        (3)    medical assistance; or        (4)    special services.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part I - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 5-402 - Purpose of Subtitle

    The purpose of this subtitle is to make possible, through a public subsidy, the most appropriate adoption of each eligible child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-403 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part I - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 5-403 - Eligibility for Subsidy

    The local department shall determine whether a subsidy is necessary to ensure a child’s adoption because of the child’s special circumstances, including:        (1)    physical or mental disability;        (2)    emotional disturbance;        (3)    recognized high risk of physical or mental disease;        (4)    age;        (5)    sibling relationship; and        (6)    racial or ethnic factors.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-406 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-406 - Established

    Each local department shall establish and administer an adoption subsidy program for eligible children.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-407 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-407 - Funds

    (a)    Money payments and special services under the adoption subsidy program shall be funded by:        (1)    appropriations to a local department for the maintenance of children in foster care; and        (2)    money that is made available to a local department from other sources.    (b)    Medical assistance and medical care under the adoption subsidy program shall be funded by:        (1)    savings for the fiscal year by the Maryland Department of Health and the Department of Human Services that are attributable to adoptions under this subtitle; and        (2)    appropriations to the Department of Human Services for the adoption subsidy program.    (c)    The Administration may reimburse the Maryland Department of Health for the cost of medical assistance and medical care directly or through a contract with the Department.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-408 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-408 - Eligibility

    (a)    A subsidy may not be denied to an eligible child on the ground that the eligible child had a condition that was not known or discovered at the time of the adoption.    (b)    An individual who has been approved by a child placement agency as an appropriate adoptive parent and who seeks to adopt an eligible child is eligible to receive a subsidy on behalf of the eligible child regardless of the individual’s income or other eligibility factors.    (c)    A subsidy may not be denied to a child whose adoption has been dissolved or whose adoptive parents have died if the child received an adoption subsidy during the child’s prior adoption and the child continues to meet the criteria set forth in § 5-403 of this subtitle.    (d)    The subsidy may not be discontinued solely because the adoptive parent moves from this State with the eligible child.    (e)    A subsidy may continue to be provided for an eligible child to an adult who is qualified to assume responsibility and who assumes responsibility for the care and welfare of the child upon the death or incapacitation of the child’s adoptive parent.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-409 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-409 - Application

    (a)    To apply for a subsidy on behalf of an eligible child, an individual who is a prospective adoptive parent of the eligible child shall file an application for a subsidy with the local department.    (b)    (1)    The director of the local department shall append to the application evidence of inability, after all reasonable efforts, to place the eligible child, without a subsidy, with an appropriate adoptive parent because of the special circumstances.        (2)    If the director of the local department determines that the eligible child has established emotional ties with a prospective adoptive parent who is the child’s foster parent, evidence of efforts to place the child with another prospective adoptive parent is not required.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-410 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-410 - Subsidy Agreement

    (a)    (1)    Before a final decree of adoption is passed, the local department and a prospective adoptive parent of an eligible child shall make a written agreement regarding the subsidy.        (2)    In the case of an eligible child who has special circumstances that existed before the adoption but were not detected until after the adoption, the agreement shall be made promptly after the local department approves the application for a subsidy.    (b)    A subsidy may commence either at the time of the placement for adoption or at an appropriate time after the passage of the adoption decree.    (c)    (1)    The nature, amount, and duration of the subsidy shall be determined by:            (i)    the needs of the eligible child because of the eligible child’s special circumstances; and            (ii)    the availability of other resources to meet the eligible child’s needs.        (2)    The subsidy may be for a limited or a long period of time.        (3)    The subsidy shall be in an amount that is not more than:            (i)    the allowable amount for a child under foster family care in this State, or if placement is in another state, the allowable amount for a child under foster family care in that state, whichever is higher;            (ii)    in the case of a medically fragile child living in a treatment foster care home, $2,000 per month; or            (iii)    if the subsidy is for a special service, a reasonable fee for that service.    (d)    (1)    If, under a subsidy agreement, the subsidy does not terminate in the first year after the final decree of adoption is passed, the subsidy is subject to annual reapplication, reevaluation, and reapproval by the local department.        (2)    A subsidy agreement shall include a notice of the annual reapplication requirement.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-410.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-410.1 - Reimbursement for Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses

    (a)    If the Department makes the determinations under subsection (b) of this section, an adoptive parent involved in an independent or intercountry adoption of a child is entitled to reimbursement by the State for certain nonrecurring adoption expenses associated with the adoption.    (b)    An adoptive parent is eligible for reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses, if the Department determines that:        (1)    the child should not be returned to its biological parents;        (2)    the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing assistance because of certain factors or conditions regarding the child, including ethnic background, age, the presence and number of siblings, or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps; and        (3)    except where it would be against the best interests of the child, previous adoption attempts have been made without assistance and were unsuccessful.    (c)    Application for nonrecurring adoption expenses shall be filed with the Department:        (1)    prior to the order; and        (2)    on a form provided by the Department.    (d)    (1)    Upon approval of the application, there shall be a written agreement between the Department and the prospective adoptive parents regarding the reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the agreement shall be signed by the adoptive parents and an agent of the Department prior to the adoption order.        (3)    The agreement is not required to be signed by the adoptive parents and an agent of the Department prior to the adoption order if the order:            (i)    was entered between January 1, 1987 and July 1, 1990; or            (ii)    was entered before January 1, 1987, but nonrecurring adoption expenses were paid after January 1, 1987.        (4)    Adoptive parents filing for reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses in cases described under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall:            (i)    enter into a written agreement with the Department; and            (ii)    file all claims no later than December 14, 1990.    (e)    Reimbursement for nonrecurring adoption expenses is limited to a maximum of $2,000 for reasonable and necessary actual costs that are not reimbursable from another source, including:        (1)    adoption fees;        (2)    court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees;        (3)    health examinations;        (4)    transportation costs; and        (5)    food and lodging costs incurred during preplacement visits.    (f)    Except in cases described under subsection (d)(3) of this section, adoptive parents shall file all claims for nonrecurring adoption expenses within 2 years after the order.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-411 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-411 - Administrative and Judicial Review

    An individual who is aggrieved by a final decision of the director of a local department that denies eligibility or reduces or terminates a subsidy in a contested case may:         (1)    appeal that decision to the administrative appellate authority designated by rule or regulation; and        (2)    then take any further appeal allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-412 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act|Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program|Section 5-412 - Duties of Director of Administration

    The Director of the Administration shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.