1936

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

section literally contradicts subsection (a) of this
section in that a man who does not satisfy any of the
criteria of subsection (a) of this section could never
meet the definition of "natural father". The General
Assembly may wish to amend subsection (a) of this
section to provide that the criteria of that
subsection are not exclusive. The General Assembly
also may wish to amend subsection (b) of this section
to provide for a hearing to determine who is the
natural father in any case in which more than 1 man
meets the criteria of subsection (a) of this section
or in which 1 or more men meet the criteria of
subsection (a) of this section and 1 or more men who
do not meet those criteria also claim to be the
natural father.

Defined term: "Father" § 5-301

5-311. REQUIRED CONSENT; REVOCATION.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

UNLESS THE NATURAL PARENTS' RIGHTS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BY A
JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE ADOPTED WITHOUT THE
CONSENT OF:

(1)  THE NATURAL MOTHER,-

(2)  THE NATURAL FATHER; AND

(3)  THE INDIVIDUAL, IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEAST 10
YEARS OLD.

(B)  IF NATURAL PARENTS' RIGHTS TERMINATED.

IF THE NATURAL PARENTS' RIGHTS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BY A
JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE ADOPTED WITHOUT THE
CONSENT OF:

(1)  THE EXECUTIVE HEAD OF THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY
THAT HAS BEEN AWARDED GUARDIANSHIP OF THE INDIVIDUAL; AND

(2)  THE INDIVIDUAL, IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEAST 10
YEARS OLD.

(C)  REVOCATION OF CONSENT.

IN AN ADOPTION PROCEEDING:

(1) EXCEPT WHEN PRECEDED BY A FINAL DECREE OF
GUARDIANSHIP, THE CONSENT OF A NATURAL PARENT MAY BE REVOKED AT
ANY TIME BEFORE A FINAL DECREE OF ADOPTION OR AN INTERLOCUTORY
DECREE OF ADOPTION BARS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE CONSENT; AND