§ 5-3A-07. Appointed counsel

   (a) Parent. --

   (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a parent who:

      (i) has a disability that makes the parent incapable of effectively participating in the case; or

      (ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent under this subtitle, is still a minor.

   (2) To determine whether a disability makes a parent incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the parent.

(b) Child. --

   (1) In an adoption proceeding under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a prospective adoptee who:

      (i) is at least 10 years old; and

      (ii) 1. is a minor; or

         2. has a disability that makes the prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in the proceeding.

   (2) To determine whether a disability makes a child incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the child.

(c) Dual representation. -- An attorney or firm:

   (1) may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct allow; and

   (2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same case.

(d) Compensation. -- Counsel appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by the court.

HISTORY: 2005, ch. 464, § 3; 2006, ch. 365, § 2.