Family Law - Adoption of an Adult

HB 243 modifies Maryland's adoption laws to specifically address adult adoptions. It removes the requirement for a petitioner's spouse to join the adoption petition when adopting an adult (a rule that currently applies only to minors), eliminates the need for parental consent from an adult's parents, and exempts adult adoption cases from standard show-cause order procedures for parents. Courts may still order investigations for adult adoptions only if "good cause" is shown, but this is not mandatory. The bill directly affects adults seeking adoption and their petitioners, streamlining the process compared to current rules for minor adoptions.