Maryland Family Law Section 5-338

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 - 2005 **

      (a)      A juvenile court may enter an order for a child's adoption under this Part III of this subtitle only if:

            (1)      (i)      at least one of the child's parents:

                        1.      is represented by an attorney;

                        2.      has had an opportunity to receive adoption counseling and guidance services; and

                        3.      consents to the adoption:

                        A.      in writing; or

                        B.      knowingly and voluntarily, on the record before the juvenile court; and

                  (ii)      a parent who does not consent:

                        1.      is dead; or

                        2.      A.      despite reasonable efforts as provided in § 5-316 of this subtitle, cannot be located;

                        B.      has not contacted the local department with custody of the child or the child for at least 180 days immediately before the filing of the petition; and

                        C.      fails to respond to a show cause order served under § 5-334 of this subtitle;

            (2)      the director of the local department with custody of the child consents; and

            (3)      the child:

                  (i)      is represented by an attorney; and

                  (ii)      1.      if at least 10 years old, consents; or

                        2.      if under the age of 10 years, does not object.

      (b)      A local department may not withhold consent for the sole reason that the race, religion, color or national origin of a prospective adoptive parent differs from that of the child or parent.