2016 Maryland Code
Family Law
Title 5 - Children
Subtitle 4B - Adoption Search, Contact, and Reunion Services
§ 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. --

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, "relative" means a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, or uncle of a biological parent.

(2) In the case of a minor in out-of-home placement who was adopted through a local department, "relative" means an individual at least 21 years old who is related to the minor by blood or marriage within five degrees of consanguinity or affinity under the civil law rule.

(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;

(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; and

(5) if a minor in out-of-home placement was adopted through a local department and a local department has determined that reunification with the minor's adoptive parents is not in the minor's best interests, to contact relatives of the minor to develop a placement resource or facilitate a family connection with the relatives.

(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.