Section 5-4 - B-01. Definitions.
§ 5-4B-01. Definitions.
(a) In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Administration.- "Administration" means the Social Services Administration of the Department.
(c) Confidential intermediary.- "Confidential intermediary" means an individual or child placement agency qualified by the Director for the purpose of providing search, contact, and reunion services under this subtitle.
(d) Director.- "Director" means the Director of the Administration.
(e) Member of the adoptive family.- "Member of the adoptive family" means an adoptive parent, grandparent, brother, or sister of an adopted individual.
(f) Relative.- "Relative" means a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, or uncle of a biological parent.
(g) Search, contact, and reunion services.- "Search, contact, and reunion services" means services:
(1) to locate adopted individuals, biological parents of adopted individuals, siblings of adopted individuals, and, as provided in § 5-4B-11 of this subtitle, relatives and members of the adoptive family;
(2) to assess the mutual desire for communication or disclosure of information:
(i) between adopted individuals and biological parents of adopted individuals;
(ii) between adopted individuals and siblings of adopted individuals; and
(iii) as provided in § 5-4B-11 of this subtitle, between:
1. adopted individuals and relatives; and
2. biological parents and members of the adoptive family; and
(3) to provide, or provide referral to, counseling for adopted individuals, biological parents of adopted individuals, siblings of adopted individuals, relatives, and members of the adoptive family.
(h) Sibling.- "Sibling" means a brother or sister of the whole or half blood who:
(1) is at least 21 years old; and
(2) has been adopted.
[1998, ch. 679; 2004 Sp. Sess., ch. 7; 2005, ch. 464, § 2; 2006, ch. 312.]