{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-1410","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 4-1410","heading":"Authority to charge or receive compensation for services; inability to pay adoption costs.","body":"(a)\n(1)\nExcept 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.\n(2)\nA 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.\n\n(b)\n(1)\nA 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:\n(A)\nIts fee and refund policy;\n(B)\nAn estimate of the agency’s maximum fee for specific services;\n(C)\nInformation regarding available public and private subsidies;\n(D)\nIts sliding income fee scale; and\n(E)\nA complete list of the services that it will provide at each stage of the adoption process.\n(2)\nIf 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.\n\n(b-1)\nIn 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:\n(A)\nCustomary and reasonable legal expenses of the child-placing agency;\n(B)\nCosts of locating an absent birthparent;\n(C)\nFoster care expenses incurred by the child-placing agency for a period not to exceed 120 days of foster care;\n(D)\nThe living expenses of the birthmother, including food, shelter, and clothing;\n(E)\nTransportation 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;\n(F)\nExpenses for adoption counseling or counseling for the birthparents by an independent mental health professional;\n(G)\nThe birthmother’s legal, hospital, and medical expenses;\n(H)\nLegal fees and costs in connection with contested adoption proceedings;\n(I)\nExpenses incurred by the child-placing agency in connection with an adoption dissolution and alternative placement of a child; and\n(J)\nExpenses incurred by the child-placing agency in obtaining the documents required to complete the homestudy assessment.\n\n(c)\nExcept 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.\n\n(d)\n(1)\nThe 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.\n(2)\nNo later than May 31, 2015, the Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of subsection (b-1) of this section.","path":["Title 4. Public Care Systems.","Chapter 14. Placement of Children in Family Homes.","Subchapter I. General."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/4-1410","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"27581edb4a5ecfd2cb19919a8b019237b5acdf42ba21b40d05789780e02fc5e5","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-1409","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-1421"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}