Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 5-3B-16 - Investigation(a) Except as provided in § 5-3B-27 of this subtitle, before ruling on a consensual adoption petition under § 5-3B-20(1) of this subtitle, a court may order a court investigator or child placement agency to conduct any investigation that the court considers necessary.(b) Before ruling on a nonconsensual adoption petition under §§ 5-3B-20(2) and 5-3B-22 of this subtitle, a court shall order a court investigator or an appropriate child placement agency to investigate and submit a report that includes summaries of: (1) the prospective adoptee's emotional ties with and feelings toward the prospective adoptee's parents, the prospective adoptee's siblings, and others who may affect the prospective adoptee's best interests significantly; and(2) the prospective adoptee's adjustment to:Amended by 2019 Md. Laws, Ch. 438,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2019.Amended by 2019 Md. Laws, Ch. 437,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2019.