<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="5-3B-32" title_number="5" title_name="Children" subtitle_number="3B" subtitle_name="Independent Adoption">
  <level label="a">
    <text>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:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>placement of an individual to live with a preadoptive family; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>an agreement for custody in contemplation of adoption.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>This section does not prohibit payment, by an interested person, of:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a reasonable and customary charge or fee for adoption counseling, hospital, legal, or medical services;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>reasonable expenses for transportation for medical care associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>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</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>reasonable expenses associated with any required court appearance relating to the adoption, including transportation, food, and lodging expenses.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Each State’s Attorney shall enforce this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>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.</text>
  </level>
</section>
