3208

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 514

(4) DRUG ADDICTION, AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN §
9-101 OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE.

(D) "DISRUPTED PLACEMENT" MEANS THAT THE CHILD IS
PERMANENTLY REMOVED FROM THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY BY THE CHILD
PLACEMENT AGENCY PRIOR TO THE ENTRY OF A FINAL DECREE OF
ADOPTION.

(E)  (1) "FATHER" MEANS THE MAN WHO:

(I)  WAS MARRIED TO THE CHILD'S MOTHER AT
THE TIME OF CONCEPTION OR BIRTH;

(II)  IS NAMED AS THE FATHER ON THE CHILD'S
BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR IS IDENTIFIED BY THE MOTHER AS THE
FATHER, UNLESS HE SIGNS A DENIAL OF PATERNITY OR HIS
NONPATERNITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE
COURT BY AFFIDAVIT OR TESTIMONY;

(III)  HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED TO BE THE
FATHER; OR

(IV)  HAS ACKNOWLEDGED HIMSELF TO BE THE
FATHER, VERBALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THE MOTHER OF THE CHILD
AGREES THAT HE IS THE CHILD'S FATHER.

(2) IF A MAN NOT MEETING ANY OF THESE CRITERIA
CLAIMS TO BE THE FATHER, THE PERSON FILING A PETITION FOR
ADOPTION OR GUARDIANSHIP SHALL NOTIFY THE COURT, AND A
HEARING SHALL BE HELD ON THE ISSUE OF PATERNITY.

(F)  "GUARDIANSHIP" MEANS GUARDIANSHIP WITH THE RIGHT
TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION OR LONG-TERM CARE SHORT OF ADOPTION.

(G)  "INDEPENDENT ADOPTION" MEANS AN ADOPTION IN WHICH
THE PLACEMENT FOR ADOPTION IS NOT MADE BY A CHILD PLACEMENT
AGENCY.

(H) "MINOR PARENT" MEANS A PARENT WHO, AT THE TIME OF
GIVING CONSENT TO GUARDIANSHIP OR ADOPTION OF THE CHILD, HAS
NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.

(I) "PLACEMENT FOR ADOPTION" MEANS THAT THE CHILD IS
LIVING IN A FAMILY HOME DULY APPROVED FOR ADOPTION BY A
CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY, WITH THE INTENT THAT THE CHILD BE
ADOPTED BY THE FAMILY.

72.

(A) EXCEPT WHEN NATURAL PARENTS' RIGHTS HAVE BEEN
TERMINATED BY A VALID JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, CONSENT TO AN
ADOPTION SHALL BE OBTAINED FROM:

(1) THE MOTHER;