2013 Maryland Code
FAMILY LAW
§ 5-350 - Authority to grant adoption

§5-350.

(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 disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness, including epilepsy;

2. a mental impairment or deficiency;

3. a record of having a physical or mental impairment as defined under this paragraph; or

4. being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment as defined under this paragraph.

(ii) “Disability” includes:

1. any degree of paralysis or amputation;

2. blindness or visual impairment;

3. deafness or hearing impairment;

4. muteness or speech impediment;

5. physical reliance on a service animal or a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device; and

6. intellectual disability, as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General Article, and any other mental impairment or deficiency that may have necessitated remedial or special education and related services.

(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.