HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      2671

(F)  "LOCAL DEPARTMENT" MEANS A LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES FOR A COUNTY.

(G)  "NATURAL FATHER" MEANS A MAN WHO:

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

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

(3)  WAS NAMED AS THE FATHER ON THE ADOPTEE'S
PRE-ADOPTION BIRTH CERTIFICATE, UNLESS THE MAN HAS SIGNED A
DENIAL OF PATERNITY OR HIS NONPATERNITY HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY A
COURT;

(4)  WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE NATURAL MOTHER AS THE
FATHER OF THE ADOPTEE, UNLESS THE MAN HAS SIGNED A DENIAL OF
PATERNITY OR HIS NONPATERNITY HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY A COURT;

(5)  HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED TO BE THE FATHER OF THE
ADOPTEE; OR

(6)  HAS ACKNOWLEDGED HIMSELF ORALLY OR IN WRITING TO
BE THE FATHER OF THE ADOPTEE.

(H) "REGISTRY" MEANS THE MUTUAL CONSENT VOLUNTARY ADOPTION
REGISTRY.

(I) "NATURAL SIBLING" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AT LEAST
21 YEARS OLD AND SHARES 1 OR BOTH NATURAL PARENTS WITH AN
ADOPTEE.

5-4A-02.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBTITLE IS TO:

(1)  ESTABLISH WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION A MUTUAL
CONSENT VOLUNTARY ADOPTION REGISTRY WHERE NATURAL PARENTS,
ADOPTEES, AND NATURAL SIBLINGS MAY REGISTER IF THEY WISH TO HAVE
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION RELEASED TO EACH OTHER; AND

(2)  PROVIDE FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION TO NATURAL PARENTS, ADOPTEES, AND NATURAL SIBLINGS
WHO HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE MUTUAL CONSENT VOLUNTARY ADOPTION
REGISTRY.

5-4A-03.

(A) THE DIRECTOR SHALL:

(1) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A MUTUAL CONSENT VOLUNTARY
ADOPTION REGISTRY;