§ 5-3b-16

(a) Except as provided in § 5–3B–27 of this subtitle, before ruling on a consensual adoption petition under § 5–3B–20(1) of this subtitle, a court may order a court investigator or child placement agency to conduct any investigation that the court considers necessary. (b) Before ruling on a nonconsensual adoption petition under §§ 5–3B–20(2) and 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, a court shall order a court investigator or an appropriate child placement agency to investigate and submit a report that includes summaries of: (1) the prospective adoptee’s emotional ties with and feelings toward the prospective adoptee’s parents, the prospective adoptee’s siblings, and others who may affect the prospective adoptee’s best interests significantly; and (2) the prospective adoptee’s adjustment to: (i) community; (ii) home; and (iii) school.