Maryland Family Law Section 5-3A-45

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 - 2005 **

      (a)      Except as otherwise provided by law, a person may not charge or receive, from or for a parent or prospective adoptive parent, any compensation for a service in connection with:

            (1)      placement of an individual to live with a preadoptive family; or

            (2)      an agreement for custody in contemplation of adoption.

      (b)      (1)      In this subsection, "Administration" means the Social Services Administration of the Department.

            (2)      This section does not:

                  (i)      prohibit payment, by an interested person, of a customary and reasonable charge or fee for hospital, legal, or medical services; or

                  (ii)      prevent the Administration, or a person that the Administration licenses or supervises, from receiving and accepting reasonable reimbursement for costs of an adoptive service in connection with adoption, if:

                        1.      the reimbursement is in accordance with standards set by regulation of the Administration; and

                        2.      the ability to provide this reimbursement does not affect:

                        A.      the acceptability of any individual for adoptive services; or

                        B.      the choice of the most suitable prospective adoptive parent.

      (c)      Each State's Attorney shall enforce this section.

      (d)      A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months or both, for each offense.