Section 5-339 - Consent. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-339. Consent.
 

(a)  Contents and attachments.-  

(1) Consent of a parent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle may include: 

(i) a provision barring a petitioner from learning identifying information about the parent; and 

(ii) a waiver of the right to notice of further proceedings under this Part III of this subtitle. 

(2) Consent to adoption entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of the revocation period. 

(3) Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless: 

(i) the consent is given in a language that the party understands; 

(ii) if given in a language other than English, the consent: 

1. is given before a judge on the record; or 

2. is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate; 

(iii) the consent names the child; 

(iv) the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent; 

(v) the party has received written notice or on the record notice of: 

1. the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of this section; 

2. the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-359 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and 

3. the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-359 of this subtitle; and 

(vi) the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-307(a) of this subtitle, stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily. 

(b)  Revocation by parent.-  

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a parent may revoke consent to adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time within the later of: 

(i) 30 days after the parent signs the consent; or 

(ii) 30 days after the adoption petition is filed. 

(2) Consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable. 

(c)  Revocation by local department.- A local department may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle. 

(d)  Revocation or objection by child.- A child may revoke consent or object to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle. 
 

[2005, ch. 464, § 3.]