{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-16","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–3B–16","heading":"","body":"(a) Except as provided in § 5–3B–27 of this subtitle and subject to subsection (c) of this section, before ruling on a consensual adoption petition under § 5–3B–20(b)(1) of this subtitle, a court may order a court investigator or child placement agency to conduct any investigation that the court considers necessary.\n(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, before ruling on a nonconsensual adoption petition under §§ 5–3B–20(b)(2) and 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, a court shall order a court investigator or an appropriate child placement agency to investigate and submit a report that includes summaries of:\n(1) the prospective adoptee’s emotional ties with and feelings toward the prospective adoptee’s parents, the prospective adoptee’s siblings, and others who may affect the prospective adoptee’s best interests significantly; and\n(2) the prospective adoptee’s adjustment to:\n(i) community;\n(ii) home; and\n(iii) school.\n(c) If a prospective adoptee is an adult, the court may order an investigation under subsection (a) or (b) of this section only for good cause shown.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-3B-16","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"bdc928134c9585d11e71efc89f5df0c95beb9984d9700747598a8e7da6432d75","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-15","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-17"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}