Md. Code, Family Law § 5-3B-16
This is the official text of Md. Code, Family Law § 5-3B-16, part of Maryland’s Code, Family Law — governs marriage, divorce, child custody and support, and adoption.
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§5–3B–16.
Official statutory text
(a) Except as provided in § 5–3B–27 of this subtitle and subject to subsection (c) of this section, before ruling on a consensual adoption petition under § 5–3B–20(b)(1) of this subtitle, a court may order a court investigator or child placement agency to conduct any investigation that the court considers necessary.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, before ruling on a nonconsensual adoption petition under §§ 5–3B–20(b)(2) and 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, a court shall order a court investigator or an appropriate child placement agency to investigate and submit a report that includes summaries of:
(1) the prospective adoptee’s emotional ties with and feelings toward the prospective adoptee’s parents, the prospective adoptee’s siblings, and others who may affect the prospective adoptee’s best interests significantly; and
(2) the prospective adoptee’s adjustment to:
(i) community;
(ii) home; and
(iii) school.
(c) If a prospective adoptee is an adult, the court may order an investigation under subsection (a) or (b) of this section only for good cause shown.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, before ruling on a nonconsensual adoption petition under §§ 5–3B–20(b)(2) and 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, a court shall order a court investigator or an appropriate child placement agency to investigate and submit a report that includes summaries of:
(1) the prospective adoptee’s emotional ties with and feelings toward the prospective adoptee’s parents, the prospective adoptee’s siblings, and others who may affect the prospective adoptee’s best interests significantly; and
(2) the prospective adoptee’s adjustment to:
(i) community;
(ii) home; and
(iii) school.
(c) If a prospective adoptee is an adult, the court may order an investigation under subsection (a) or (b) of this section only for good cause shown.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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