HB 1258 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Child Placement Services - Advertising by Unlicensed Person - Prohibition

HB 1258 prohibits unlicensed individuals or organizations from advertising adoption services in Maryland. It requires that only licensed child placement agencies (approved by the Social Services Administration) or local departments may advertise such services, covering all media including social media, websites, and direct messaging. The Social Services Administration can investigate violations, issue cease-and-desist orders, and refer cases to the Attorney General, who may pursue civil penalties of $10,000 per violation. This law directly affects unlicensed adoption facilitators, private agencies, and individuals advertising adoption services without proper authorization.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Child Placement Services - Advertising by Unlicensed Person - Prohibition → Third - Child Placement Services - Advertising by Unlicensed Person - Prohibition · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to reclassify the prohibition on unlicensed child placement advertising as an unfair trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, allowing for civil penalties and damages. The sponsors were expanded to include four delegates, and the bill's procedural status was updated to reflect committee approval and adoption.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from being a standalone Family Law provision to a cross-referenced enforcement mechanism within the Commercial Law Article, while retaining the core prohibition in the Family Law Article.

ENFORCEMENT

Added language making violations of the advertising prohibition an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, enabling the Attorney General to seek civil penalties and damages.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's procedural history to include additional sponsors (Delegates Moreno, Conaway, and Williams) and noted that the bill was adopted and reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee.

Adjusted the legislative text to repeal and reenact specific sections in the Commercial Law Article rather than just adding to them, reflecting the new enforcement mechanism.

Reorganized the bill's structure to include an explanation of markup symbols (capital letters, brackets, underlining) at the beginning of the text.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 10, 2026

How they voted

132–4

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 142

Mar 10, 2026

D Democratic103

100 Yea 3

97% Yea

R Republican39

32 Yea 4 Nay 3

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 10, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-4-6)

house of delegates

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors