1506 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 599

if the party against whom judgment would be rendered is
subject to the jurisdictional processes of the courts of this
State, the courts shall apply the legal effects of a final decree
of adoption made in this State to such adoptive relationship
created by a final decree of adoption in another jurisdiction.

85N. (Legitimation.) Whenever the petitioner is a spouse
of the natural parent of the person to be adopted, and the
natural parent consents to the adoption or joins in the peti-
tion for adoption the Court may in its discretion dispense
with the investigation, report, and interlocutory decree pro-
vided for in this sub-title, but in all other respects the pro-
cedure shall be similar to the procedure prescribed by this
sub-title for the adoption of minors; and the decree shall
have the effect of reserving unto the natural parent all his
or her natural relationships, rights and obligations to the
person adopted by the spouse.

85-O. (Adults.) Persons over twenty-one years of age may
be declared to be adopted, on the petition of the adoptive
parent or parents, the consent of the person to be adopted,
and notice to the nearest next of kin of the petitioner or
petitioners, if upon hearing had the Court shall be satisfied
that the adoption should be granted. The legal effect of
such an adoption shall be the same as that of the adoption
of a minor, except as to guardianship.

85P. (Prohibited Compensation.) It shall be unlawful
for any agency, institution, or individual rendering any
service in connection with the placement of a child for adop-
tion to charge or receive from or on behalf of either the
natural parent or parents of the person to be adopted, or
from or on behalf of the person or persons legally adopting
such person, any compensation whatsoever for the placement
service, but this shall not be construed to prohibit the pay-
ment by any interested persons of reasonable and customary
charges or fees for hospital or medical or legal services.

It shall be the duty of the State's Attorney in each county
and in Baltimore City to prosecute all violations of this sec-
tion, and any agency, institution or individual convicted of
violating this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed
one hundred dollars or to imprisonment not to exceed three
months, or both, for each offense.

85Q. (Appeal.) Any party to an adoption proceeding
may appeal to the Court of Appeals from any interlocutory
or final order or decree of the trial court, within the period
specified generally for appeals in equity cases.