HB 1258

Did not advance

Child Placement Services - Advertising by Unlicensed Person - Prohibition

Sponsor: Stephanie Smith (District 45)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Family LawStatus: Hearing 4/03 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Prohibiting a person from advertising adoption services in the State, unless the person is a local department or child placement agency licensed by the Social Services Administration; authorizing the Administration to notify the Attorney General of a violation of the Act; and making a violation of the Act an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.

Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (18)

MGA witness list

FAV 13FavorableFWA 3Favorable with amendmentsINFO 2Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Philip, Diana	Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children	Written (PDF)
FAV	Philip, Diana	Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children	Written (PDF)
FAV	Perilstein, LINDA	Cradle of Hope Adoption Center	Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Position only
FAV	Bogdan, Henrylobbyist	Maryland Nonprofits	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hoehler, Pam	Paths for Families	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Lehmann, Meshan	Paths for Families	Written (PDF)
FAV	Lehmann, Meshan	Paths for Families	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Smith, Delegate Smithlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Delegate Smith, Delegate Smithlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Hessler, Thereselobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hessler, Thereselobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Smith, Stephanie	Individual	Written (PDF)
FWA	Swain, Margaret	Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys	Written (PDF)
FWA	Harris, Rhea	OAG	Written (PDF)
FWA	Mullikin, Sheri	Individual	Written (PDF)
INFO	Brown-Burnett, Gloria	Department of Human Services	Written (PDF)
INFO	Brown-Burnett, Gloria	Department of Human Services	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction AttorneysFWA 1

Coalition to Protect Maryland's ChildrenFAV 2

Cradle of Hope Adoption CenterFAV 1

Department of Human ServicesINFO 2

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 1

Maryland NonprofitsFAV 1

OAGFWA 1

Paths for FamiliesFAV 3

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVBogdan, HenryMaryland NonprofitsRegistered for: Maryland Nonprofits

FAVHessler, ThereseRegistered for: City of Gaithersburg; Elevate Recovery Centers; Evolve Kids Care; Evolve Life Centers; High Roller Technologies; Laila's Gift…