PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 552

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-301.

[(e) "Guardianship" means guardianship with the right to consent to adoption or
long-term care short of adoption.]

(G) (1) "JOINT GUARDIANSHIP" MEANS LIMITED GUARDIANSHIP GRANTED
TO A CAREGIVER UNDER § 5-317 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2) "JOINT GUARDIANSHIP" MAY INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO
CONSENT TO MEDICAL CARE AND MAKE EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER DECISIONS FOR
THE CHILD.

(3) "JOINT GUARDIANSHIP" DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO
CONSENT TO ADOPTION OR LONG-TERM CARE SHORT OF ADOPTION.

5-317.

(f) 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; AND

(4)     SUBJECT TO § 5-319 OF THIS SUBTITLE, AUTHORIZES THE CHILD
PLACEMENT AGENCY TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, JOINT GUARDIANSHIP, CUSTODY,
OR OTHER LONG-TERM PLACEMENT THAT THE AGENCY AND THE COURT, AFTER A
HEARING, DETERMINE DETERMINES TO BE IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST.

(G) (1) AFTER ANY INVESTIGATION AND HEARING THE COURT CONSIDERS
NECESSARY. THE COURT MAY GRANT A DECREE AWARDING JOINT GUARDIANSHIP,
CUSTODY. OR OTHER LONG-TERM PLACEMENT THAT THE COURT DETERMINES TO
BE IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST.

(2) IF JOINT GUARDIANSHIP IS AWARDED TO A CAREGIVER, THE CHILD
PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL RETAIN GUARDIANSHIP WITH THE RIGHT TO CONSENT
TO ADOPTION OR LONG-TERM CARE SHORT OF ADOPTION.

5-319.

(f) On receipt of the guardian's report under subsection (b) of this section, and
every 12 months thereafter, the court:

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