§ 5–3A-45
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-3A-45 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption
§ 5–3A-45LinkCopy 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 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:
(1)
a customary and reasonable charge or fee for adoption counseling, hospital, legal, or medical services;
(2)
reasonable expenses for transportation for medical care associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child;
(3)
reasonable expenses for food, clothing, and shelter for a birth mother if, on written advice of a physician, the birth mother is unable to work or otherwise support herself because of medical reasons associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child; or
(4)
reasonable expenses associated with any required court appearance relating to the adoption, including transportation, food, and lodging expenses; 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.