qualified counselors and counseling services (including all
adoption agencies) which are available to counsel natural
parents within the county who are contemplating relinquishment
or termination of parental rights pursuant to this part. Such
list shall be distributed to every agency, hospital or other
facility providing maternity care within the county and shall be
made available upon request to any intermediary or licensed
health care professional.
(c) Court referral.--Prior to entering a decree of
termination of parental rights pursuant to section 2503
(relating to hearing) or 2504 (relating to alternative procedure
for relinquishment), if the parent whose rights are to be
terminated is present in court, the court shall inquire whether
he or she has received counseling concerning the termination and
the alternatives thereto from an agency or from a qualified
counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b). If the
parent has not received such counseling, the court may, with the
parent's consent, refer the parent to an agency or qualified
counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b) for the
purpose of receiving such counseling. In no event shall the
court delay the completion of any hearing pursuant to section
2503 or 2504 for more than 15 days in order to provide for such
counseling.
(d) Application for counseling.--Any parent who has filed a
petition to relinquish his or her parental rights, or has
executed a consent to adoption, and is in need of counseling
concerning the relinquishment or consent, and the alternatives
thereto, may apply to the court for referral to an agency or
qualified counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b)
for the purpose of receiving such counseling. The court, in its
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