Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-350
Authority to grant adoption
Effective Oct 1, 2016Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2009, c. 567, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, c. 568, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2016, c. 423, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.State of Maryland
(a) A juvenile court may enter an order for a child's adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle only if:
- (1) for an individual under the age of 18 years, the individual's guardian consents; and
- (2) for an individual who is at least 10 years old, the individual 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 guardian 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.
Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2009, c. 567, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, c. 568, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2016, c. 423, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.