PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 290

CHAPTER 290
(House Bill 846)

AN ACT concerning

Adoption - Access to Records

FOR the purpose of authorizing certain individuals to have access to certain information
contained in certain adoption records; requiring a court to open records to
inspection under certain circumstances; defining a term; making certain technical
changes; and generally relating to the access of adoption records.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Family Law
Section 5-301 and 5-329
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1991 Replacement Volume and 1994 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.

(a)     In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.

(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,

(c)     "Disability" means:

(1)     a mental disorder, as defined in § 10-101 of the Health - General
Article;

(2)     mental retardation, as defined in § 7-101 of the Health - General
Article;

(3)     alcohol dependence, as defined in § 8-101 of the Health - General
Article; or

(4)     drug dependence, as defined in § 8-101 of the Health - General Article.

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