(a)(1) A child placement agency shall file a written report with a court with jurisdiction over a child whenever:
(i) the child placement agency fails to place the child for adoption with a preadoptive parent, as defined in § 3-823(i)(1) of the Courts Article:
1. within 270 days after being awarded guardianship; or
2. within 180 days after permanently removing the child from another placement; or
(ii) a court does not enter a final order of adoption within 2 years after the placement.
(2) A report under this subsection shall state each reason for the delay in placement or adoption.
Notice
(b)(1) Whenever a child placement agency files a report under this section, the child placement agency shall mail notice of the child's status:
(i) to each of the child's living parents who has not waived the right to notice and, if represented, counsel; and
(ii) if a court appointed counsel for the child under this subtitle, to the child's last attorney of record.
(2) A waiver of rights under this subsection is not valid unless the waiver appears expressly in:
(i) the parent's consent to guardianship; and
(ii) the guardianship order.
Hearing
(c)(1) Whenever a court receives a report under this section, the court shall hold a hearing to:
(i) review the progress that the child placement agency has made toward adoption of the child; and
(ii) take all actions that the court considers to be in the child's best interests.
(2) Each year after a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection until the court's jurisdiction terminates, the court shall hold another review hearing.
Credits
Added by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006.
MD Code, Family Law, § 5-3A-23, MD FAMILY § 5-3A-23
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
