Annotated Code of Maryland

(1991 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Family Law

Section 5-4A-01 through 5-4A-08, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle

"Subtitle 4A. Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance"
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1991 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section(s) 5-4A-01 through 5-4A-07 and the subtitle "Subtitle
4A. Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry", respectively, of Article - Family
Law of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 5-4C-01
through 5-4C-07 and the subtitle "Subtitle 4C. Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption
Registry", respectively.

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

Article - Family Law

SUBTITLE 4A. INTERSTATE COMPACT ON ADOPTION AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
5-4A-01.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) "ADMINISTRATION" MEANS THE SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OF
THE DEPARTMENT.

(C) "ADOPTION ASSISTANCE STATE" MEANS THE STATE THAT IS SIGNATORY
TO AN ADOPTION ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT IN A PARTICULAR CASE.

(D) "RESIDENCE STATE" MEANS THE STATE WHERE THE CHILD LIVES.
5-4A-02.

(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:

(1) LOCATING ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE STATE ASSISTANCE AND ASSURING THE PROTECTION OF THE
INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN AFFECTED DURING THE ENTIRE ASSISTANCE PERIOD
REQUIRES SPECIAL MEASURES WHEN THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS MOVE TO OTHER
STATES OR ARE RESIDENTS OF ANOTHER STATE; AND

(2) PROVIDING MEDICAL AND OTHER NECESSARY SERVICES FOR
CHILDREN, WITH STATE ASSISTANCE, IS MORE DIFFICULT WHEN THE SERVICES ARE
PROVIDED IN OTHER STATES.

(B) THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE TO: