Ch. 280                               LAWS OF MARYLAND

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1987.

Approved May 14, 1987.

CHAPTER 280

                    (Senate Bill 647)

AN ACT concerning

Petition for Decree of Guardianship - Filing - Attorney for Child

FOR the purpose of authorizing an attorney for a child on behalf
of the child to file a petition for a child placement agency
to be granted guardianship of the child; and providing for
the application and construction of this Act.

BY repealing, and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Family Law
Section 5-317

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1984 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-317.

(a)  A petition for a decree of adoption may be preceded by
a petition for guardianship of the child.

(b)  Only the executive head of a child placement agency OR
THE ATTORNEY FOR THE CHILD ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD may file a
petition for the agency to be granted guardianship.

(c)  Except as provided in §§ 5-313 and 5-313.1 of this
subtitle, the court may grant a decree awarding guardianship

only:

(1)  after any investigation and hearing the court
considers necessary; and

(2)  with the consent of each living natural parent of
the child.

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