Sec. 07.05.03.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Adoptee" means an individual:

(a) Whose adoption decree was issued by a Maryland court; or

(b) Who was placed for adoption by a:

(i) Maryland-licensed child placement agency; or

(ii) Local department.

(2) "Adoption" means the legal proceeding:

(a) By which an individual becomes the child of the adoptive parent; and

(b) Which confers on the adopted child all the legal rights and privileges to which a child born to the adoptive parent is entitled.

(3) "Adoption placement" means the placement of a legally free child with an approved adoptive parent who has signed a placement agreement with the intent to adopt the child.

(4) "Domestic adoption" means an adoption which is completed within the United States.

(5) "Guardianship" means guardianship with the right to consent to adoption or long-term care short of adoption as defined in Family Law Article, §5-301(e), Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(a) Is conferred by the court on the chief administrator of a child placement agency; and

(b) Terminates the rights, duties, and obligations of the birth parents.

(6) "International adoption" means the adoption by a Maryland resident of a child from a country outside the United States.

(7) "Legal risk placement" means the placement of a child whose permanency plan is adoption, but who is not yet legally free, with potential adoptive parents approved for both foster care and adoption with the intent that the parents will adopt the child if guardianship is granted to the placing agency.

(8) "Maryland Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)" means the State registry of Maryland children waiting to be adopted.

(9) "Open adoption" means an adoption in which it is the explicit intent that the child shall maintain contact, including the possibility of visitation, with the birth parent or relatives.

(10) "Preadoptive foster care" means out-of-home placement services provided to a child in a certified foster home when the permanency plan is adoption but an adoptive parent is not yet available or the child is not ready for permanent placement.

(11) "Registry" means the Maryland Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.

(12) "Search, contact, and reunion services (search services)" means services to:

(a) Locate adoptees and birth parents of adoptees;

(b) Assess the mutual desire for communication or disclosure of information between adoptees and birth parents; and

(c) Provide counseling or referral to counseling for adoptees and birth parents of adoptees.

(13) "Termination of parental rights" means the legal process of obtaining guardianship and ending the rights and responsibilities of the parents.