Md. Code, Family Law § 5-3B-32
This is the official text of Md. Code, Family Law § 5-3B-32, part of Maryland’s Code, Family Law — governs marriage, divorce, child custody and support, and adoption.
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§5–3B–32.
Official statutory text
(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) This section does not prohibit payment, by an interested person, of:
(1) a reasonable and customary 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.
(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.
(1) placement of an individual to live with a preadoptive family; or
(2) an agreement for custody in contemplation of adoption.
(b) This section does not prohibit payment, by an interested person, of:
(1) a reasonable and customary 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.
(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.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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