3214

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 514

(II)  THE PARENT HAS REPEATEDLY OR
CONTINUOUSLY FAILED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PHYSICAL CARE AND
SUPPORT OF THE CHILD, ALTHOUGH FINANCIALLY ABLE TO DO SO; OR

(III)  THE PARENT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF
CHILD ABUSE OF THE CHILD.

(C)  THE COURT SHALL REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION AND A
REPORT OF THE FACTS OF THE CASE BY THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY.
THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER THE REPORT IN ITS DECISION OF
WHETHER TO TERMINATE THE NATURAL PARENT'S RIGHTS. THE
REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF:

(1)  THE CHILD'S FEELINGS TOWARD AND EMOTIONAL
TIES WITH THE CHILD'S PARENTS, SIBLINGS, THE PERSON SEEKING
TO ADOPT, AND ANY OTHER PERSON WHO MAY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT
THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST;

(2)  THE CHILD'S ADJUSTMENT TO HOME, SCHOOL, AND
COMMUNITY; AND

(3)  WHEN THE PARENT IS ABSENT, AN EVALUATION OF
THE PETITIONER'S ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE THE ABSENT PARENT.

(D)  NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION,
THE COURT MAY NOT GRANT A DECREE OF ADOPTION WITHOUT A
NATURAL PARENT'S CONSENT SOLELY BECAUSE:

(1)  THE PARENT HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF THE LEGAL
CUSTODY OF THE CHILD BY REASON OF A DIVORCE OR LEGAL
SEPARATION; OR

(2)  THE PARENT HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF THE PHYSICAL
CUSTODY OF THE CHILD BY THE ACT OR CONDUCT OF THE OTHER
PARENT OF THE CHILD.

(E)  FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION, IN CASES IN WHICH IT IS IN
THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST, THE ADOPTING PARTY AND THE
NONCONSENTING PARENT MAY AGREE TO VISITATION PRIVILEGES
BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE NONCONSENTING PARENT OR SIBLINGS.

77A.

(A) (1) THE PETITIONER SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE FILING
OF A PETITION FOR GUARDIANSHIP OR ADOPTION TO EACH PERSON
WHOSE CONSENT IS REQUIRED.

(2)  A PERSON WHOSE CONSENT IS FILED WITH THE
PETITION SHALL BE GIVEN NOTICE, UNLESS THE CONSENT INCLUDES
A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE NOTICE OF THE FILING OF THE
PETITION.

(3)  NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN BY ENTRY AND SERVICE
OF A SHOW CAUSE ORDER, AT THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WHICH THE
PETITIONER HAS FOR THE PERSON.