§ 5-339. Consent

   (a) Contents and attachments. --

   (1) Consent of a parent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle may include:

      (i) a provision barring a petitioner from learning identifying information about the parent; and

      (ii) a waiver of the right to notice of further proceedings under this Part III of this subtitle.

   (2) Consent to adoption entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of the revocation period.

   (3) Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:

      (i) the consent is given in a language that the party understands;

      (ii) if given in a language other than English, the consent:

         1. is given before a judge on the record; or

         2. is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;

      (iii) the consent names the child;

      (iv) the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent;

      (v) the party has received written notice or on-the-record notice of:

         1. the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of this section;

         2. the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-359 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and

         3. the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-359 of this subtitle; and

      (vi) the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-307(a) of this subtitle, stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.

(b) Revocation by parent. --

   (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a parent may revoke consent to adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time within the later of:

      (i) 30 days after the parent signs the consent; or

      (ii) 30 days after the adoption petition is filed.

   (2) Consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.

(c) Revocation by local department. -- A local department may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.

(d) Revocation or objection by child. -- A child may revoke consent or object to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.

HISTORY: 2005, ch. 464, § 3; 2013, ch. 43.