Are payments for adoption referrals allowed?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.
• C. Only with prior approval.
• D. Only for non-profit agencies.

Answer: (B)

Not paying for adoption referrals is about preventing conflicts of interest and protecting child welfare. In Texas, a licensed child-placing agency cannot pay or receive any compensation for referring a child to an adoptive family or for placing a child with a family. This blanket prohibition helps ensure decisions are driven by the child’s best interests rather than financial incentives. Legitimate compensation is allowed only for defined services actually provided (such as a home study, counseling, or other approved services), not for the act of referring someone to an adoption opportunity. The rule applies regardless of nonprofit status, and it does not become permissible with prior approval. Paying for referrals would distort decision-making and could exploit families or children, which is why this practice is not allowed.