Sec. 07.05.03.04. Services to Birth Parent

A. Services shall be accessible and available to a birth or adoptive parent requesting assistance in dealing with parenthood issues.

B. When an expectant parent considering placement of a child for adoption requests adoption services, the agency child placement worker shall:

(1) Provide counseling and other appropriate services to the expectant parent:

(a) Before the child's birth;

(b) During termination of the parental rights process; and

(c) For as long after termination of parental rights as is desired by the parent;

(2) Assist the parent as needed to gain access to the services necessary to accomplish the case plan goals;

(3) While the child is in care, assist the parent to resolve any emotional or other issues resulting from the adoption process;

(4) Inform the parent of the following:

(a) Parent's right to visit the child during the period before guardianship is granted;

(b) Parent's right to withdraw consent for guardianship as set forth in Family Law Article, Title 5, Subtitles 3A and 4B, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(c) Search rights of birth parents and adoptees as set forth in COMAR 07.02.12 and Family Law Article, Title 5, Subtitles 3A and 4B, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(d) Parent's right to file a disclosure veto as set forth in Family Law Article, §5-3A-05(a), Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(5) When a parent decides to place a child for adoption, prepare a written placement agreement with:

(a) A placement plan; and

(b) Any special conditions on the care requested by the birth parent and agreed to by the agency.

C. To the extent possible, the agency shall include the following information in the parent record:

(1) Face sheet which shows at least the parent's:

(a) Name;

(b) Address;

(c) Social Security number;

(d) Birth date and place;

(e) Race;

(f) Religion; and

(g) Marital status;

(2) Date of application or initial referral;

(3) If the parent is pregnant, the expected due date and prenatal care plan;

(4) If the child has been born, the date of birth and delivery information;

(5) Names, birth dates, and whereabouts of other children born to the parents;

(6) Names of parents' parents and background summary;

(7) Parents' description, including weight, height, coloring of eyes, hair, and skin, personality traits, and special interests with photographs, videotape, or other media representation;

(8) Multigenerational health history;

(9) Education and work history;

(10) Marital, parental, social, and sibling relationships;

(11) Documentation of discussion of separation and termination of parental rights as applicable;

(12) Documentation of a discussion of adoption and its meaning, including the potential for open records;

(13) Signed voluntary relinquishment, consents for release, medical care, and guardianship petition; and

(14) Information on the guardianship order, including the:

(a) Date;

(b) Judge;

(c) Docket number;

(d) Court;

(e) Signed voluntary relinquishment, consents for release, medical care, and guardianship petition; and

(f) Copy of guardianship decree.