1514                           LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 677

CHAPTER 676
(House Bill 626)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 67 of
Article 16 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1966 Replacement
Volume), title "Chancery," subtitle "Adoption," designating para-
graph numbers and providing that religion shall MAY not be a fac-
tor to consider in adoption proceedings if the court determines that
the infant does not have sufficient religious background, training
or beliefs.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 67 of Article 16 of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1966 Replacement Volume), title "Chancery," subtitle "Adoption,"
be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to
read as follows:

67.

(a)    The General Assembly hereby declares its conviction that
the policies and procedures for adoption contained in this subtitle
are socially necessary and desirable, having as their purpose the
threefold protection of (1) the adoptive child, from unnecessary
separation from his natural parents and from adoption by person
unfit to have such responsibility [,]; and [(except in 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 a
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
background, and protecting them from subsequent disturbance
of their relationships with the child by natural parents.

(b)    In determining the merits of a petition for adoption, the
court shall MAY consider the religious background, training and be-
liefs of the natural parents, the adopting parents and the infant; but if
the court determines that the infant does not have sufficient reli-
gious background, training or beliefs to be a factor in the adoption,
it may make its decision without regard to same.

(c)    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.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1969.

Approved May 14, 1969.

CHAPTER 677
(House Bill 629)

AN ACT to add new Section 118A to Article 2B of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1968 Replacement Volume and 1968 Supple-