§9-102. Definitions
As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
1.
Adoptee.
"Adoptee" means a person who will be or who has been adopted, regardless of whether the person is a child or an adult.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2.
Adult.
"Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3.
Child.
"Child" means a person who is under 18 years of age.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4.
Consent.
"Consent," used as a noun, means a voluntary agreement to an adoption by a specific petitioner that is executed by a parent or custodian of the adoptee.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
5.
Department.
"Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
6.
Licensed child-placing agency.
"Licensed child-placing agency" means an agency, person, group of persons, organization, association or society licensed to operate in this State pursuant to Title 22, chapter 1671.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
7.
Parent.
"Parent" means a person who, with respect to a child:
A.
Has established parentage pursuant to Title 19-A, chapter 61; or
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B.
When no person described in paragraph A exists, is the legal guardian of the child.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
8.
Petitioner.
"Petitioner" means a person filing a petition to adopt an adult or a child, and includes both petitioners under a joint petition, except as otherwise provided in this Article.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
9.
Putative parent.
"Putative parent" means a person who is the alleged parent of a child but whose parentage has not been but may be legally determined in accordance with Title 19-A, chapter 61.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
10.
Surrender and release.
"Surrender and release," used as a noun, means a voluntary relinquishment of all parental rights to a child to the department or a licensed child-placing agency for the purpose of placement for adoption.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).