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ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor
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Ch. 464
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(2) UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, DOES NOT APPLY TO AN ADOPTION
CASE FILED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31, 2005.
COMMITTEE NOTE: This section is new and added to make the scope of this
new subtitle clear. This addition is not intended to limit the access to
records in cases filed or postadoption contact agreements entered into on
or before October 1, 2005 on or before September 30 December 31, 2005.
Defined terms: "Child in need of assistance" § 1-101
"Guardianship" § 5-301
"Local department" § 1-101
5-303. STATEMENT OF FINDINGS; PURPOSES.
(A) STATEMENT OF FINDINGS.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF
THIS SUBTITLE ARE DESIRABLE AND SOCIALLY NECESSARY.
(B) PURPOSES.
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE TO:
(1) TIMELY PROVIDE PERMANENT AND SAFE HOMES FOR CHILDREN
CONSISTENT WITH THEIR BEST INTERESTS;
(2) PROTECT CHILDREN FROM UNNECESSARY SEPARATION FROM
THEIR PARENTS;
(3) ENSURE ADOPTION ONLY BY INDIVIDUALS FIT FOR THE
RESPONSIBILITY;
(4) PROTECT PARENTS FROM MAKING HURRIED OR ILL-CONSIDERED
AGREEMENTS TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS;
(5) PROTECT PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS BY GIVING THEM
INFORMATION ABOUT CHILDREN AND THEIR BACKGROUNDS; AND
(6) PROTECT ADOPTIVE PARENTS FROM FUTURE DISTURBANCES OF
THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN BY FORMER PARENTS.
COMMITTEE NOTE: This section is derived from former FL § 5-303.
In subsection (a) of this section, the former clause "that concern adoption"
is deleted as the findings apply to guardianship as well.
In subsection (b)(1) of this section, reference to "timely" provision of
"permanent and safe homes ... consistent with [the children's] best
interests" is substituted for the former reference to "stable homes that
protect... safety and health", to emphasize the need for prompt resolution
of a case in accordance with the "best interests" standard applicable under,
e.g., former FL §§ 5-311(b)(2), 5-313(a), (c), and (d)(1) and (3), 5-317(g)(l),
5-319(f)(l) and (2) and (g)(1), and 5-323(a)(2).
- 2597 -
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