# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 5. Child Care; Foster Care

#### Section 5-507

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall be licensed by the Administration as a child placement agency before the person may engage in the placement of minor children in homes or with individuals.

(b) A license is not required:

  (1) for a person to place a child with an individual related to the child by blood or marriage within 4 degrees of consanguinity or affinity under the civil law rule;

  (2) except as provided in Sec. 5-3B-12 of this title, for a parent or grandparent of a child to place the child directly, without the intervention of any other person except the recipient of the child; or

  (3) for a lawyer to prepare pleadings necessary to accomplish the adoption of a child or to perform any other function associated with the normal practice of law.

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