# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption

#### Section 5-3A-23

(a)

  (1) A child placement agency shall file a written report with a court with jurisdiction over a child whenever:

    (i) the child placement agency fails to place the child for adoption with a preadoptive parent, as defined in Sec. 3-823(i)(1) of the Courts Article:

      (1) within 270 days after being awarded guardianship; or

      (2) within 180 days after permanently removing the child from another placement; or

    (ii) a court does not enter a final order of adoption within 2 years after the placement.

  (2) A report under this subsection shall state each reason for the delay in placement or adoption.

(b)

  (1) Whenever a child placement agency files a report under this section, the child placement agency shall mail notice of the child's status:

    (i) to each of the child's living parents who has not waived the right to notice and, if represented, counsel; and

    (ii) if a court appointed counsel for the child under this subtitle, to the child's last attorney of record.

  (2) A waiver of rights under this subsection is not valid unless the waiver appears expressly in:

    (i) the parent's consent to guardianship; and

    (ii) the guardianship order.

(c)

  (1) Whenever a court receives a report under this section, the court shall hold a hearing to:

    (i) review the progress that the child placement agency has made toward adoption of the child; and

    (ii) take all actions that the court considers to be in the child's best interests.

  (2) Each year after a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection until the court's jurisdiction terminates, the court shall hold another review hearing.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)