2013 Maryland Code
FAMILY LAW
§ 5-4B-01 - Definitions
(a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Administration. -- "Administration" means the Social Services Administration of the Department.
(c) Confidential intermediary. -- "Confidential intermediary" means an individual or child placement agency qualified by the Director for the purpose of providing search, contact, and reunion services under this subtitle.
(d) Director. -- "Director" means the Director of the Administration.
(e) Member of the adoptive family. -- "Member of the adoptive family" means an adoptive parent, grandparent, brother, or sister of an adopted individual.
(f) Relative. -- "Relative" means a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, or uncle of a biological parent.
(g) Search, contact, and reunion services. -- "Search, contact, and reunion services" means services:
(1) to locate adopted individuals, biological parents of adopted individuals, siblings of adopted individuals, and, as provided in § 5-4B-11 of this subtitle, relatives and members of the adoptive family;
(2) to assess the mutual desire for communication or disclosure of information:
(i) between adopted individuals and biological parents of adopted individuals;
(ii) between adopted individuals and siblings of adopted individuals; and
(iii) as provided in § 5-4B-11 of this subtitle, between:
1. adopted individuals and relatives; and
2. biological parents and members of the adoptive family;
(3) to provide, or provide referral to, counseling for adopted individuals, biological parents of adopted individuals, siblings of adopted individuals, relatives, and members of the adoptive family; and
(4) if siblings of a minor in out-of-home placement were adopted through a local department, to contact the siblings to develop a placement resource or facilitate a family connection with the siblings of the minor.
(h) Sibling. -- "Sibling" means a brother or sister of the whole or half blood who:
(1) is at least 21 years old; and
(2) has been adopted.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
