§ 5-4A-04. Compact terms

   (a) Joinder, withdrawal, adoption assistance rules. -- A compact entered into pursuant to § 5-4A-03 of this subtitle shall include:

   (1) a provision making the compact available for joinder by all states;

   (2) a provision for withdrawal from the compact upon written notice to the parties, but with a period of 1 year between the date of the notice and the effective date of the withdrawal;

   (3) a requirement that the protection afforded by or pursuant to the compact continue in force for the duration of the adoption assistance and be applicable to all children and their adoptive parents who on the effective date of the withdrawal are receiving adoption assistance from a party state other than the one in which they are residents and have their principal place of abode; and

   (4) a requirement that each instance of adoption assistance to which the compact applies be covered by an adoption assistance agreement in writing between the adoptive parents and the state child welfare agency of the state which undertakes to provide the adoption assistance and that the adoption assistance agreement be expressly for the benefit of the adopted child and enforceable by both the adoptive parents and the state agency providing the adoption assistance.

(b) Medical and social services. -- A compact entered into pursuant to § 5-4A-03 of this subtitle may include a provision establishing procedures and entitlements to medical or other necessary social services for the child in accordance with applicable laws even though the child and the adoptive parents are in a state other than the state responsible for providing the services or the funds to defray part or all of the costs.

HISTORY: 1999, ch. 320, § 2.