Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-321
Consent
Effective Apr 9, 2013Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006; Acts 2013, c. 43, § 1, eff. April 9, 2013.State of Maryland
(a)
(1) Consent of a parent to guardianship may include a waiver of the right to notice of:
- (i) the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and
- (ii) a hearing under this subtitle.
- (2) Consent to guardianship entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of a revocation period.
(3) Consent of a party to guardianship 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 party has received written notice or on-the-record notice before a judge of:
- 1. the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (c)(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;
(iv) if signed after counsel enters an appearance for a parent, the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel stating that:
- 1. counsel reviewed the consent with the parent; and
- 2. the parent consents knowingly and voluntarily; and
- (v) 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) Whenever a local department receives consent to guardianship of an individual before a guardianship petition is filed, the local department promptly shall:
- (i) file the consent in the individual's CINA case; and
(ii) serve a copy of the consent on:
- 1. each living parent of the individual;
- 2. the parent's last attorney of record in the CINA case; and
- 3. the individual's last attorney of record in the CINA case.
(2) Whenever a party obtains consent to guardianship after a guardianship petition is filed, the party promptly shall:
- (i) file the consent with the juvenile court in which the petition is pending; and
- (ii) serve a copy of the consent on each other party.
(c)
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may revoke consent to guardianship any time within the later of:
- (i) 30 days after the person signs the consent; or
- (ii) 30 days after the consent is filed as required under this section.
- (2) Consent to guardianship under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.
- (d) If, at any time before a juvenile court enters an order for adoption of a child, the juvenile court finds that a condition of consent to guardianship will not be fulfilled, the consent or acquiescence becomes invalid.
Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006; Acts 2013, c. 43, § 1, eff. April 9, 2013.