{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-337","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–337","heading":"","body":"(a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall consider:\n(1) any assurance by a local department to fund needed support for the child;\n(2) all factors necessary to determine the child’s best interests; and\n(3) a report by a child placement agency, completed in accordance with Department regulations, as to:\n(i) the suitability of the petitioner to be the child’s parent; and\n(ii) the child’s successful placement with the petitioner under the supervision of the local department or its agent for at least 180 days or a shorter period allowed by the juvenile court on recommendation of the local department.\n(b) In ruling on an adoption petition under this Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court may not deny the petition solely because the petitioner is single or unmarried.\n(c) If a parent consents to adoption in accordance with § 5-338 of this subtitle, loss of parental rights shall be considered voluntary.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-337","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"256dd33ae65e2dab95fa33f158d1d7a2ecaf8c8bde10f9d8fc53cb4b8eef50e5","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-336","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-338"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}