1. (a)

   1. (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a parent who:

      1. (i) has a disability that makes the parent incapable of effectively participating in the case; or
      2. (ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent to adoption, is still a minor.
   2. (2) To determine whether a disability makes a parent incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the parent.

2. (b)

   1. (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a prospective adoptee who:

      1. (i) has a disability that makes the prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in the case; and
      2. (ii) when the prospective adoptee must decide whether to consent to adoption, is at least 10 years old.
   2. (2) To determine whether a disability makes a prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the prospective adoptee.

3. (c) An attorney or firm:

   1. (1) may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct allow; and
   2. (2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same adoption case.
4. (d) Counsel appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by the court.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 44, § 1, eff. April 8, 2006.