Maryland House Bill HB1117

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/23
• Refer: 2/10/23

Caption

Family Law – Adoption of an Adult

Impact

With the approval of HB1117, adult adoptees will no longer require parental consent for adoption proceedings. This could lead to a more straightforward and expedited adoption process for adults, as it removes bureaucratic hurdles that previously demanded the involvement and consent of biological parents. Furthermore, the prohibition of preemptive investigations in adult adoption cases suggests a move towards treating adults as capable of making their own decisions regarding family relationships.

Summary

House Bill 1117 addresses the legal framework surrounding the adoption of adults. The bill proposes significant changes to existing family law, most notably establishing that certain provisions—specifically the issuance and service of a show-cause order—do not apply when the prospective adoptee is an adult. This change reflects a shift in recognizing the autonomy of adults seeking adoption, thereby streamlining the legal process for them compared to infants and minors.

Contention

While the bill's changes could be seen as progressive, they may also raise concerns among advocates of parental rights and some social conservatives who believe the traditional family structure should be preserved. Possible contentions include discussions about the implications for biological parents' rights and the potential emotional effects on individuals involved in the adoption process when parental consent is not a requisite. Informally, these discussions may create divisions between differing ideological perspectives on family law and individual autonomy.