WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

BY adding to

Article - Family Law
Section 5-312.1 5-525.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1984 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-301.

(b) "Child placement agency" means:

(1)  a local department of social services; or

(2)  a private agency that:

(i) engages in the placement of children in
homes or with individuals; and

(ii) is licensed by the Social Services
Administration under § 5-507 of this title.

5-312.1 5-525.1.

(A) IF A CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY TO WHICH A CHILD IS
COMMITTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF § 5-525 OF THIS SUBTITLE
DETERMINES THAT ADOPTION OF THE CHILD IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF
THE CHILD, THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL PETITION FOR
TERMINATION OF THE NATURAL PARENT'S RIGHTS WITHIN 60 120 DAYS OF
THE DETERMINATION.

(B) IF A CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY DETERMINES THAT ADOPTION IS
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AS DESCRIBED UNDER THIS
SECTION, THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL FILE A WRITTEN REPORT
WITH THE COURT AND PROVIDE NOTICE OF THE PETITION FOR TERMINATION
OF THE NATURAL PARENT'S RIGHTS TO EACH NATURAL PARENT OF THE
CHILD.

(C) THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL MAIL THE NOTICE
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION TO EACH NATURAL PARENT AT THE LAST
ADDRESS OF THE NATURAL PARENT KNOWN TO THE CHILD PLACEMENT
AGENCY.

(D) THE WRITTEN REPORT REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL:

(1) BE FILED WITH THE COURT; AND

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