MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        305

competent to join in the petition and not separated from the peti-
tioner under circumstances which would give the petitioner a legal
ground for divorce or annulment, such husband or wife shall join
in the petition. A person petitioning to become an adoptive parent
shall not be denied an affirmative decree solely because he is single
or without a spouse. If the marital status of the petitioner changes
after the time of filing the petition, and before the time of the entry
of a final decree of adoption in the case, the petition shall be
amended accordingly, it being the intent of this section that married
persons who are living together and competent may adopt a person
only upon the joint action of both. Provided, however, that if either
the husband or wife is a natural parent of the person to be adopted,
such natural parent need not join in the petition with the adopting
parent, but need only give his or her consent to the adoption, as pro-
vided elsewhere in this subtitle.

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

Approved April 9, 1969.

CHAPTER 128
(Senate Bill 497)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sections 16 and 20
of Article 40 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Replace-
ment Volume), title "General Assembly," subtitle "Intergovern-
mental Co-operation," revising the membership provisions applic-
able to the Maryland Commission on Intergovernmental Co-opera-
tion, adding certain duties and functions to the Commission, and
clarifying the provisions of these laws.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sections 16 and 20 of Article 40 of the Annotated Code of Mary-
land (1965 Replacement Volume), title "General Assembly," subtitle
"Intergovernmental Co-operation," be and they are hereby repealed
and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

16.

[At the first meeting of the Legislative Council following each
regular session of the General Assembly in odd years, the Council
shall appoint a standing committee to be known as the Legislative
Council's Committee on Intergovernmental Co-operation. There shall
be six members of this committee, three to be members of the Senate
of Maryland and three to be members of the House of Delegates of
Maryland. The appointments shall be at the pleasure of the Legisla-
tive Council. The Council also shall appoint a chairman of the com-
mittee, to serve at the pleasure of the Council.] The Legislative
Council shall appoint a standing committee to be known as the Legis-
lative Council's Commission on Intergovernmental Co-operation.
There shall be twelve members of this Commission, six to be members
of the Senate of Maryland and six to be members of the House of
Delegates of Maryland, and these members shall include ex-officio,
the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Delegates
and the majority and minority leaders of both Houses. The appoint-