1950

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

5-327. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION.

(A)   IN GENERAL.

(1)  AN AGENCY, INSTITUTION, OR INDIVIDUAL WHO RENDERS
ANY SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLACEMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL FOR
ADOPTION MAY NOT CHARGE OR RECEIVE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF EITHER
THE NATURAL PARENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO BE ADOPTED, OR FROM OR ON
BEHALF OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ADOPTING THE INDIVIDUAL, ANY
COMPENSATION FOR THE PLACEMENT.

(2)  THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE PAYMENT, BY
ANY INTERESTED PERSON, OF REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY CHARGES OR
FEES FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL OR LEGAL SERVICES.

(B)  APPLICABILITY TO SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

THIS SECTION DOES NOT PREVENT THE SOCIAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION, OR ANY AGENCY OR INSTITUTION THAT IS SUPERVISED
OR LICENSED BY IT, FROM RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING REASONABLE
REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS OF ADOPTIVE SERVICES IN CONNECTION
WITH ADOPTION, IF THE REIMBURSEMENT IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. HOWEVER, THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THIS
REIMBURSEMENT MAY NOT AFFECT:

(1)  THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ANY INDIVIDUAL FOR ADOPTIVE
SERVICES; OR

(2)  THE CHOICE OF THE MOST SUITABLE PROSPECTIVE
ADOPTIVE FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL FOR A CHILD WHO IS TO BE ADOPTED.

(C)  PROSECUTION BY STATE'S ATTORNEY.

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY SHALL PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS
SECTION.

(D)  PENALTY.

A PERSON WHO VIOLATES 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.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as Article
16, § 83.

In subsection (d) of this section, the reference to a
misdemeanor is new language added for clarity.

The only other changes are in style.

5-328. MEDICAL HISTORY OF NATURAL PARENTS.