# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption

#### Section 5-3A-45

(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.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)