1010                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 622

Provided, however, that notice need not be given to any party or

parties who shall have formally given their consent to an adoption,

or to a guardianship under Section 80A of this sub-title, WITHIN

90 DAYS OF THE FILING OF THE PETITION, and shall have

waived notice of any proceeding relative to an adoption.

Provided further, however, that in no event shall a consent exe-
cuted by a natural mother before the end of the first thirty days of
the child's life constitute a waiver of the requirement of notice pro-
vided for in this section.

84. (Investigation.) Upon the filing of a petition, except in those
cases in which the court shall have such intimate and personal knowl-
edge of the facts and circumstances as to enable it to determine the
matter without the aid [or] of an investigation or, unless a report
by one of the agencies hereinafter mentioned is filed with the petition,
the court may direct the State Department of Public Welfare, or one
of its local units, or a child placement agency licensed by the State
Department of Public Welfare, or in its discretion may direct its
own Probation Department or other officer or appointee of the court:

(1)  To make an investigation—

(a)  of the truth of the allegations of the petition;

(b)  of the former environment, antecedents and assets, if any, of
the person to be adopted, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
such person is a proper subject for adoption;

(c)   of the home of the petitioner or petitioners, to determine
whether the home is a suitable one for such person;

(d)  of any other circumstances and conditions which may have a
bearing on the adoption and of which the court should have knowl-
edge;

(2)  To report to the court the findings of such investigation in a
written report.

(3)  To recommend to the court whether a final decree declaring
the adoption prayed for in the petition should be immediately granted,
or whether the court should pass an interlocutory decree granting
temporary custody of the person to be adopted to the petitioner or
petitioners, as hereinafter set forth. Any written report submitted
to the court shall be filed with, and become part of, the records in the
case.

91. (Prohibited Compensation.) It shall be unlawful for any
agency, institution, or individual rendering any service in connection
with the placement of a child for adoption to charge or receive from
or on behalf of either the natural parent or parents of the person to
be adopted, or from or on behalf of the person or persons legally
adopting such person, any compensation whatsoever for the placement
service, but this shall not be construed to prohibit the payment by
any interested persons of reasonable and customary charges or fees
for hospital or medical or legal services

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