§ 5–362
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-362 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
§ 5–362LinkCopy Citation
(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 parent, as defined in § 3-823(i)(1) of the Courts Article; 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.