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).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 9-102

A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 9-102
  • 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. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 9-102
  • 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. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 9-102
    • 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).
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