§ 5-3A-23
268 words·~1 min read·
/md/family-law/5-3a-23·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§5–3A–23.
(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.
(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.
(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.