# COMAR Title 07 — Department of Human Services

## Subtitle 05 — Social Services Administration—Private Child Placement Agencies

### Chapter 03 — Private Adoption

#### Regulation .09 Criteria for Consideration as an Adoptive Parent.

*COMAR 07.05.03.09*

A. The agency may not deny an individual's application to be an adoptive parent because:

  (1) An individual:

    (a) Is divorced;

    (b) Is separated from a spouse;

    (c) Is not married;

    (d) Has other children in the family;

    (e) Does not own a home; or

    (f) Is unable to pay a reasonable fee for adoption services; or

  (2) Of the applicant's or adoptive child's race, color, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, or ethnic heritage.

B. The agency shall deny an application if the agency determines that an individual's:

  (1) Child support account is in substantial arrearage which may affect the applicant's ability to provide for an adopted child;

  (2) Economic situation is insufficient to provide adequately for a child;

  (3) Physical or mental health precludes the ability to parent a child;

  (4) Age is younger than 18 years;

  (5) Criminal background or record of child abuse or neglect precludes the possibility of being an adoptive parent;

  (6) Adoption application or home study is active with another child placement agency;

  (7) Previous home study by a child placement agency reveals the individual was denied for valid reasons;

  (8) Status is that of:

    (a) Member of the agency's governing board; or

    (b) Adoption service employee of the agency;

  (9) Living space is inadequate for an additional family member; or

  (10) Application information is known by the applicant to be false.