Maryland Family Law Section 5-339

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

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

      (a)      (1)      Consent of a parent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle may include:

                  (i)      a provision barring a petitioner from learning identifying information about the parent; and

                  (ii)      a waiver of the right to notice of further proceedings under this Part III of this subtitle.

            (2)      Consent to adoption entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of the revocation period.

            (3)      Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:

                  (i)      the consent is given in a language that the party understands;

                  (ii)      if given in a language other than English, the consent:

                        1.      is given before a judge on the record; or

                        2.      is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;

                  (iii)      the consent names the child;

                  (iv)      the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent;

                  (v)      the party has received written notice or on the record notice of:

                        1.      the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of this section;

                        2.      the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-359 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and

                        3.      the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-359 of this subtitle; and

                  (vi)      the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-307(a) of this subtitle, stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.

      (b)      (1)      Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a parent may revoke consent to adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time within the later of:

                  (i)      30 days after the parent signs the consent; or

                  (ii)      30 days after the adoption petition is filed.

            (2)      consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.

      (c)      A local department may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.

      (d)      A child may revoke consent or object to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.