Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-3A-35
Authority to grant adoption
Effective Oct 1, 2016Added as Family Law § 5-3A-34 by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Renumbered as Family Law § 5-3A-35 by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006; 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 court may enter an order for a child's adoption under this subtitle only if:
- (1) the child placement agency consents; and
- (2) for a child who is at least 10 years old, the child 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 child placement agency 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.
(c) Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:
- (1) the consent is given in a language that the party understands;
(2) if given in a language other than English, the consent:
- (i) is given before a judge on the record; or
- (ii) is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;
- (3) the consent names the child;
- (4) the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent; and
(5) the party has received written notice or on-the-record notice of:
- (i) the revocation provisions in this section;
- (ii) the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and
- (iii) the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle.
(d)
(1) A child placement agency may revoke consent at any time within the later of:
- (i) 14 days after the child placement agency signs the consent; or
- (ii) 14 days after the adoption petition is filed.
- (2) A child who is at least 10 years old may revoke consent at any time before a court enters an order of adoption under this subtitle.
Added as Family Law § 5-3A-34 by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Renumbered as Family Law § 5-3A-35 by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006; 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.