Maryland Code, Family Law § 5-409

(b)(1) The director of the local department shall append to the application evidence of inability, after all reasonable efforts, to place the eligible child, without a subsidy, with an appropriate adoptive parent because of the special circumstances.

(2) If the director of the local department determines that the eligible child has established emotional ties with a prospective adoptive parent who is the child's foster parent, evidence of efforts to place the child with another prospective adoptive parent is not required.