D.C. Code § 4-1410: Authority to charge or receive compensation for services; inability to pay adoption costs.

(a)

(1)

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, neither the Mayor nor a child-placing agency authorized to perform services in connection with placement of a child in a family home for adoption may make or receive any charge or compensation for these services.

(2)

A child-placing agency may charge an adoptive parent a reasonable fee if the child-placing agency is operating in the District of Columbia exclusively for religious purposes or as a nonprofit organization, pursuant to section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, approved August 16, 1954 (68A Stat. 163; 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)), and no part of its net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

(b)

(1)

A child-placing agency providing domestic or international adoption services that is authorized to charge a fee pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall develop a sliding-fee scale based on the per capita income of the applicant and provide each applicant with:

(A)

Its fee and refund policy;

(B)

An estimate of the agency’s maximum fee for specific services;

(C)

Information regarding available public and private subsidies;

(D)

Its sliding income fee scale; and

(E)

A complete list of the services that it will provide at each stage of the adoption process.

(2)

If a child-placing agency that charges a fee fails to implement and to maintain a sliding-fee scale as required by this subchapter, or rules issued pursuant to this subchapter, the failure shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of its license.

(b-1)

In addition to the fee set forth in subsection (b) of this section, a child-placing agency providing domestic or international adoption services that is authorized to charge a fee pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may charge an adoptive parent reasonable fees, but not more than the actual cost, for the following:

(A)

Customary and reasonable legal expenses of the child-placing agency;

(B)

Costs of locating an absent birthparent;

(C)

Foster care expenses incurred by the child-placing agency for a period not to exceed 120 days of foster care;

(D)

The living expenses of the birthmother, including food, shelter, and clothing;

(E)

Transportation costs to obtain medical services, adoption- related services, or costs associated with any required court appearance related to the adoption, including food and lodging expenses;

(F)

Expenses for adoption counseling or counseling for the birthparents by an independent mental health professional;

(G)

The birthmother’s legal, hospital, and medical expenses;

(H)

Legal fees and costs in connection with contested adoption proceedings;

(I)

Expenses incurred by the child-placing agency in connection with an adoption dissolution and alternative placement of a child; and

(J)

Expenses incurred by the child-placing agency in obtaining the documents required to complete the homestudy assessment.

(c)

Except for a reasonable, nonrefundable administrative fee, a child-placing agency shall not retain the fee paid by an adoptive parent unless the child-placing agency has provided the service.

(d)

(1)

The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-501 et seq.], shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this section, including the process for suspension and revocation of the license required to maintain a child-placing agency.

(2)

No later than May 31, 2015, the Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of subsection (b-1) of this section.