WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                    Ch. 281

(d)  In a proceeding for guardianship, consent may be
revoked at any time before a final decree of guardianship.

(e)  A decree of guardianship:

(1)  terminates the natural parents' rights, duties,
and obligations toward the child;

(2)  subject to § 5-319 of this subtitle, eliminates
the need to give notice to the natural parents of the filing of a
petition for adoption of the child; and

(3)  eliminates the need for a further consent by the
natural parents to an adoption of the child.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
be construed only prospectively and may not be applied or
interpreted to have any effect upon or application to any
guardianship form which a final decree was entered before July 1,
1987, nor to any guardianship proceeding pending as of July 1,
1987. However, the amendment by this Act of provisions of law in
effect prior to the effective date of this Act may not be
construed to preclude the application of those provisions of law
to any guardianship for which a final decree was entered before
July 1, 1987, nor to any guardianship proceeding pending as of
the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1987.

Approved May 14, 1987.

CHAPTER 281

(Senate Bill 753)

AN ACT concerning

Adoption - Petition for Termination of Parental Rights

FOR the purpose of requiring if a child placement agency to which
a child is committed determines that adoption is in the best
interest of the child, that the agency refer the case to the
agency attorney within a certain period of a time and
requiring the agency attorney to file a petition for
termination of the natural parent's rights within a certain
period of time; requiring an agency to file a certain report
with the court; requiring certain procedures under this Act;

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