Ch. 281                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND

requiring a court to take certain action after holding a
hearing required under this Act; and generally relating to a
requirement that a child placement agency file a certain
report and a certain petition relating to adoption and the
termination of the natural parent's rights and generally
relating to petitions for termination of parental rights.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,

Article - Family Law

Section 5-301(b)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1984 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Family Law
Section 5-312.1 5-525.1
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

5-301.

(b) "Child placement agency" means:

(1)  a local department of social services; or

(2)  a private agency that:

(i) engages in the placement of children in
homes or with individuals; and

(ii) is licensed by the Social Services
Administration under § 5-507 of this title.

5-312.1 5-525.1.

(A) IF A CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY TO WHICH A CHILD IS
COMMITTED UNDER § 5-525 DETERMINES THAT ADOPTION OF THE CHILD IS
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD, THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY
SHALL PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF THE NATURAL PARENT'S RIGHTS
WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DETERMINATION REFER THE CASE TO THE AGENCY

ATTORNEY WITHIN 90 60 DAYS OF THE DETERMINATION AND THE AGENCY
ATTORNEY SHALL FILE A PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF THE NATURAL
PARENT'S RIGHTS WITH THE COURT WITHIN 90 60 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF
THE REFERRAL.

- 1140 -