reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-328 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part II - Guardianship|Section 5-328 - Termination of Guardianship

    (a)    If a local department is a child’s guardian under this subtitle, a juvenile court:        (1)    retains jurisdiction until:            (i)    the child attains 18 years of age; or            (ii)    the juvenile court finds the child to be eligible for emancipation; and        (2)    may continue jurisdiction until the child attains 21 years of age.    (b)    If a juvenile court designates an individual as a child’s guardian, the juvenile court:        (1)    may retain jurisdiction until the child attains 18 years of age; or        (2)    on finding further review unnecessary to maintain the child’s health and welfare, may terminate the case before the child attains 18 years of age.    (c)    An order for adoption of a child terminates the child’s guardianship case.    (d)    On termination of a guardianship case, a juvenile court shall close the case.    (e)    Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, if the court enters an order directing the provision of services to a child under § 5–324(b)(1)(ii)7B of this subtitle, the court retains jurisdiction to rule on any motion related to the enforcement, modification, or termination of the order, for as long as the order is effective.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-331 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-331 - Petition

    (a)    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.    (b)    (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.        (2)    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.    (c)    (1)    A petitioner under this section shall attach to a petition:            (i)    for a parent who is dead, a death certificate;            (ii)    for each other parent:                1.    the consent required under this Part III of this subtitle;                2.    an affidavit, by the local department with custody of the child, stating that:                A.    despite reasonable efforts as provided in § 5-316 of this subtitle, the parent cannot be located; and                B.    to the best knowledge of the local department, the parent has not contacted the local department or child for at least 180 days immediately before the filing of the petition; or                3.    if applicable:                A.    proof of guardianship or relinquishment of parental rights granted by an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction; and                B.    certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction’s laws;            (iii)    each other consent required under § 5-338 of this subtitle;            (iv)    a copy of an agreement, if any, for postadoption contact; and            (v)    a notice of filing that:                1.    states the date on which the petition was filed;                2.    identifies each person whose consent was filed with the petition;                3.    states the obligation of a parent to give the juvenile court and local department notice of each change in the parent’s address;                4.    if applicable, states that a postadoption agreement was filed with the petition; and                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)    If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.    (e)    The local department with custody of the child shall assist a petitioner in complying with the requirements of this section.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-332 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-332 - Parental Addresses

    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-333 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-333 - Notice of Filing

    (a)    Within 5 days after a petition for adoption of a child is filed under this Part III of this subtitle with a juvenile court, the clerk shall send a copy of the petition, with the notice of filing that was attached to the petition, to:        (1)    the local department with custody of the child;        (2)    each of the child’s living parents who has not waived the right to notice;        (3)    each living parent’s last attorney of record in the CINA case; and        (4)    the child’s last attorney of record in the CINA case.    (b)    Notice under this section shall be by first-class mail.    (c)    Notice to a parent under this section shall be sent to the parent’s last address known to the juvenile court.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-334 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-334 - Order to Show Cause

    (a)    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.    (b)    On issuance of a show–cause order as to adoption of a child under this section, a petitioner shall serve the order on:        (1)    each of the child’s living parents who has not consented to the adoption;        (2)    each living parent’s last attorney of record in the CINA case; and        (3)    the child’s last attorney of record in the CINA case.    (c)    Service under this section shall be:        (1)    on a parent, by:            (i)    first–class mail; and            (ii)    1.    personal service; or                2.    certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested; and        (2)    on an attorney, by:            (i)    personal service; or            (ii)    certified mail, return receipt requested.    (d)    Service on a parent under this section shall be attempted as provided in § 5–316(d), (e), and (f) of this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-335 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-335 - Hearing on Adoption Petition

    (a)    A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.    (b)    Before a hearing under this section, a juvenile court shall give notice to all of the parties.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-336 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-336 - Time Limits

    (a)    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.    (b)    A juvenile court may not enter an order for adoption of a child under this Part III of this subtitle before the later of:        (1)    30 days after the birth of the child;        (2)    expiration of the time set for revocation of consent, and not waived, under § 5–339 of this subtitle; or        (3)    expiration of the time to respond to show–cause orders issued under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-337 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-337 - Considerations

    (a)    In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall consider:        (1)    any assurance by a local department to fund needed support for the child;        (2)    all factors necessary to determine the child’s best interests; and        (3)    a report by a child placement agency, completed in accordance with Department regulations, as to:            (i)    the suitability of the petitioner to be the child’s parent; and            (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)    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)    If a parent consents to adoption in accordance with § 5-338 of this subtitle, loss of parental rights shall be considered voluntary.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-338 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-338 - Authority to Grant Adoption

    (a)    A juvenile court may enter an order for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle only if:        (1)    (i)    both the child’s parents are dead;            (ii)    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;            (iii)    parental rights have been terminated in compliance with the laws of a state or other jurisdiction, as described in § 5–305 of this subtitle; or            (iv)    1.    at least one of the child’s parents:                A.    is represented by an attorney;                B.    has had an opportunity to receive adoption counseling and guidance services; and                C.    consents to the adoption:                I.    in writing; or                II.    knowingly and voluntarily, on the record before the juvenile court; and                2.    the parent who does not consent:                A.    is dead; or                B.    I.    despite reasonable efforts as provided in § 5–316 of this subtitle, cannot be located;                II.    has not contacted the local department with custody of the child or the child for at least 180 days immediately before the filing of the petition; and                III.    fails to respond to a show–cause order served under § 5–334 of this subtitle;        (2)    the director of the local department with custody of the child consents; and        (3)    the child:            (i)    is represented by an attorney; and            (ii)    1.    if at least 10 years old, consents; or                2.    if under the age of 10 years, does not object.    (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 local department 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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-339 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-339 - Consent

    (a)    (1)    Consent of a parent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle may include:            (i)    a provision barring a petitioner from learning identifying information about the parent; and            (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.        (3)    Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:            (i)    the consent is given in a language that the party understands;            (ii)    if given in a language other than English, the consent:                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;            (iii)    the consent names the child;            (iv)    the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent;            (v)    the party has received written notice or on–the–record notice of:                1.    the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of this section;                2.    the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5–359 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 § 5–359 of this subtitle; and            (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.    (b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a parent may revoke consent to adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time within the later of:            (i)    30 days after the parent signs the consent; or            (ii)    30 days after the adoption petition is filed.        (2)    Consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.    (c)    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)    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-340 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-340 - Dismissal

    If a petition for adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is contested, a juvenile court shall dismiss the petition.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-341 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-341 - 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 juvenile court enters an order for adoption under this Part III of 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 Part III of this subtitle terminates all pending CINA cases as to the adoptee.    (c)    Adoption of an adult has the same legal effect as adoption of a minor.    (d)    (1)    When a juvenile court enters an order for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, the juvenile court shall send notice to:            (i)    each juvenile court that has a pending CINA case as to the adoptee;            (ii)    each of the child’s living, former parents who has not waived the right to notice;            (iii)    each living parent’s last attorney of record in the CINA case; and            (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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-342 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-342 - Petition to Invalidate

    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.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-345 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-345 - Petition

    (a)    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.    (b)    (1)    Any adult may petition a juvenile court for an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.        (2)    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.    (c)    (1)    A petitioner under this section shall attach to a petition:            (i)    1.    all written consents required under § 5-350 of this subtitle; or                2.    if applicable:                A.    proof of guardianship or relinquishment of parental rights granted by an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction; and                B.    certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction’s laws;            (ii)    a copy of an agreement, if any, for postadoption contact; and            (iii)    a notice of filing that:                1.    states the date on which the petition was filed;                2.    identifies each governmental unit or person whose consent was filed with the petition;                3.    if applicable, states that a postadoption agreement was filed with the petition; and                4.    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)    If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-346 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-346 - Notice of Filing

    (a)    Within 5 days after a petition for adoption of a child is filed under this Part IV of this subtitle with a juvenile court, the clerk shall send a copy of the petition, with the notice of filing that was attached to the petition, to:        (1)    the local department; and        (2)    the child’s last attorney of record in the guardianship case.    (b)    Notice under this section shall be by first-class mail.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-347 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-347 - Hearing on Adoption Petition

    (a)    A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering an order for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.    (b)    Before a hearing under this section, a juvenile court shall give notice to all of the parties.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-348 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-348 - Time Limits

    (a)    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.    (b)    A juvenile court may not enter an order for adoption of a child under this Part IV of this subtitle before the later of:        (1)    30 days after the birth of the child; or        (2)    10 days after the notice is served under § 5-346 of this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-349 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department|Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights|Section 5-349 - Considerations

    (a)    In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall consider:        (1)    any assurance by the local department to fund needed support for the child;        (2)    all factors necessary to determine the child’s best interests; and        (3)    a report by a child placement agency, completed in accordance with Department regulations, as to:            (i)    the suitability of the petitioner to be the child’s parent; and            (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)    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.