Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-4B-05
Agreements for search, contact, and reunion services
Effective Oct 1, 2011Added by Acts 1998, c. 679, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2004, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 7, § 1, eff. Feb. 10, 2005; Acts 2011, c. 326, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.State of Maryland
- (a) An individual who applies for search, contact, and reunion services shall execute a written agreement with a confidential intermediary concerning the provision of search, contact, and reunion services.
(b)
(1)
- (i) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the confidential intermediary may charge the individual a reasonable fee for search, contact, and reunion services.
- (ii) The overall amount of fees collected may not exceed the costs of providing the services.
- (2) The confidential intermediary may not charge a director of a local department who applies for search, contact, and reunion services on behalf of a minor in out-of-home placement the fee described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(c) The confidential intermediary shall promptly:
- (1) file the executed agreement with the Director; and
- (2) attempt to contact the adopted individual, the biological parent, or the sibling sought by the applicant.
Added by Acts 1998, c. 679, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2004, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 7, § 1, eff. Feb. 10, 2005; Acts 2011, c. 326, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.