J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                            593

tion from his natural parents and from adoption by person unfit to
have such responsibility, and (except in [Allegany,] Garrett and
Washington counties), whenever practicable, from adoption by per-
sons of a different religious belief than that of the minor or his
parents, unless the natural parent or parents specifically indicate or
consent to a different choice; (2) the natural parents, from hurried
and abrupt decisions to give up the child; and (3) the adopting
parents, by providing them information about the child and his back-
ground, and protecting them from subsequent disturbance of their
relationships with the child by natural parents.

The General Assembly further declares that this subtitle is related
to the subtitle on "Child Care" of Article 88A, Sections 19-32, of
this Code, and should be read in relation thereto.

68. The circuit courts of the several counties of this State, sitting
in equity, and any court of Baltimore City having equity jurisdiction,
shall have jurisdiction of all petitions for adoption under this sub-
title. Any such petition may be filed in the county, or in Baltimore
City, as the case may be, in which at the time of filing the petition
(1) the petitioner or petitioners have their domicile; or (2) the
petitioner or petitioners have had their place of abode for a period
of at least 90 days next preceding the filing of the petition; or (3)
any lawfully licensed child placement agency, having legal or physical
care, custody or control of the person to be adopted is located; or
(4) the person to be adopted is domiciled, if such person be an adult
or be related by blood or marriage to the petitioner; or (5) such
petition may be filed in any court having equity jurisdiction which
had prior to the filing of the petition for adoption assumed a con-
tinuing jurisdiction over the custody of the person to be adopted.
Provided, however, except in (5) above no such petition shall be
filed unless either the person to be adopted or the custodian shall be
physically within this State and subject to the jurisdiction of the
courts thereof. Provided, that, in [Allegany,] Garrett and Wash-
ington counties, the circuit courts, sitting in equity, shall have juris-
diction of all petitions for adoption under this subtitle. Any such
petition may be filed in [Alleghany,] Garrett and Washington coun-
ties in which (1) the petitioner or petitioners have their domicile;
or (2) the person to be adopted is domiciled; or (3) any lawfully
licensed child placement agency, having legal or physical care, custody
or control of the person to be adopted is located; or (4) such petition
may be filed in any court having equity jurisdiction which had prior
to the filing of the petition for adoption assumed a continuing juris-
diction over the custody of the person to be adopted. Provided, how-
ever, except in (4) above no such petition shall be filed unless either
the person to be adopted or the custodian shall be physically within
this State and subject to the jurisdiction of the courts thereof.

88. Sections 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 83 and 86 of this article shall
not apply in [Allegany,] Calvert, Charles, Garrett, St. Mary's and
Washington counties. Section 87A of this article shall apply in
[Allegany,] Calvert, Charles, Garrett, St. Mary's and Washington
counties but not in any other county of the State or in Baltimore
City. Sections 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 78, 80, 81, 82, 84 and 85 of this
article shall apply throughout the entire State.