1934

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

(2) ON ENTRY OF A FINAL DECREE OF ADOPTION, THE LEGAL
EFFECTS OF AN INTERLOCUTORY DECREE OF ADOPTION ARE CONFIRMED AND
CONTINUED.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 16, §
78, § 82, and the first sentence of § 80.

In subsection (c) of this section, the former phrase
"except as to guardianship" is deleted as meaningless
in the context of that subsection.

Defined term: "Includes" § 1-101

5-309. WHO MAY ADOPT.

(A)  RIGHT TO PETITION TO ADOPT.

ANY ADULT MAY PETITION A COURT TO DECREE AN ADOPTION.

(B)  ADOPTION BY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL.

A COURT MAY NOT DENY A PETITION FOR ADOPTION SOLELY BECAUSE
THE PETITIONER IS SINGLE OR DOES NOT HAVE A SPOUSE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsection (a) of this section formerly
appeared as the first sentence of Article 16, § 70.

Subsection (b) of this section is new language derived
without substantive change from the third sentence of
former Article 16, § 70.

In subsection (a) of this section, the word "adult" is
substituted for the former phrase "person over
eighteen years of age", for clarity and brevity.

The only other changes are in style.

5-310. NATURAL FATHER.

(A) CRITERIA.

"NATURAL FATHER" OF AN INDIVIDUAL MEANS A MAN WHO:

(1)  WAS MARRIED TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S NATURAL MOTHER AT
THE TIME OF CONCEPTION;

(2)  WAS MARRIED TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S NATURAL MOTHER AT
THE TIME OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S BIRTH;

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