An Act To Prohibit Certain Payments with Respect to an Adoption
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §553-A is enacted to read:
§ 553-A. Illegal payment with respect to an adoption
1. A person is guilty of illegal payment with respect to an adoption if that person:
A. Is the parent of a child or is a person whose consent is required pursuant to Title 18-A, section 9-302 and, in return for placing that child for adoption, intentionally or knowingly solicits or receives monetary payment or other valuable consideration that is not authorized by Title 18-A, section 9-306; or
B. With the intent of adopting a child, intentionally or knowingly provides, or offers to provide, the parent of that child or the person whose consent is required pursuant to Title 18-A, section 9-302 with monetary payment or other valuable consideration that is not authorized by Title 18-A, section 9-306.
2. Violation of this section is a Class D crime.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.