1412                           LAWS OF MARYLAND                       CH. 702

included by the State Department [of Public Welfare] in its re-
quest for appropriations from State and federal funds; and the
several sections of the Code specified in subsection (b) are modified
from time to time to cover this possibility.

20.

The following institutions, agencies, and societies whether incor-
porated or not shall obtain a license from the State for the activities
herein mentioned: (a) Those having the legal or physical care,
custody or control of one or more minors; and (b) those which act
as child placement agencies, whether for adoption or otherwise.
The placement of a child by anyone other than a licensed child
placement agency, local department of [welfare] social services
or the child's natural parent or parents, grandparents or the child's
natural parents' adult brothers or sisters is prohibited.

In each instance the license shall be issued by the State Depart-
ment of [Public Welfare] Social Services upon due proof of com-
pliance with rules and regulations designed to secure the proper
care of such minors, which rules and regulations the [said] State
Board of [Public Welfare] Social Services is hereby authorized to
establish.

In the event that any other department of the State is also em-
powered by law to issue a license for any of the activities mentioned
herein, the State Department of [Public Welfare] Social Services
is authorized to make cooperative arrangements with such other
State department to the end that either one, but not both, will
exercise the power to license, thus avoiding duplication of licensing.

21.

(a)    The provisions of Section 20 hereinabove shall apply in the
counties of Maryland, but shall apply in Baltimore City only to the
extent to which they are not in conflict with the provisions of this
section. In Baltimore City, the following entities, whether incor-
porated or not, and the following persons shall obtain licenses from
the State Department of [Public Welfare] Social Services, as here-
inafter set forth:

(b)   (1) Any institution, agency or society, which acts as a child
placement agency, shall obtain a license from the State Department
of [Public Welfare] Social Services.

(2) Any person may not act as a placement agency or place a
child, except that

(i) the placement of a child with a person or persons related to
the child by blood or marriage shall be permitted and shall require
no license; and

(ii) the placement of a child by the child's natural parent or
parents or grandparents with a person not related by blood or mar-
riage shall be permitted and shall require no license; provided, the
placement be made directly by such person or persons without the in-
tervention of any person or persons aiding or abetting the placement;
and provided further, that no such placement, when made in con-
templation of adoption, shall be made prior to the filing of a petition
for adoption in a court of competent jurisdiction and obtaining the