{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-349","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–349","heading":"","body":"(a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall consider:\n(1) any assurance by the 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 for adoption 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 a petition for adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle, a juvenile court may not deny a petition for adoption solely because the petitioner is single or unmarried.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-349","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"7d137338d53689eaa82ccb338a10e91f41bd28339b91afc8a3f782e313c44327","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-348","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-350"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}