Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements - Mississippi

Use of Advertisement

Citation: Ann. Code § 43-15-117

No child-placing agency shall advertise in the media markets in Mississippi seeking birth mothers or their children for adoption purposes unless the agency holds a valid and current license. Any child-placing agency, physician, or attorney who advertises for child-placing or adoption services in Mississippi shall be required by the Division of Family and Children's Services to show their principal office location on all media advertising for adoption services.

Nothing in this section precludes payment of reasonable medical, legal, or other lawful services fees and for the legal proceedings related to lawful adoption proceedings; and no provision of this section abrogates the right of procedures for independent adoption as provided by law.

Use of Intermediaries/Facilitators

Citation: Ann. Code § 43-15-117

Except as provided in this article, no person, agency, firm, corporation, association, or group children's home may engage in child placing, or solicit money or other assistance for child placing, without a valid license issued by the division.

An attorney, physician, or other person may assist a parent in identifying or locating a person interested in adopting the parent's child or in identifying or locating a child to be adopted. However, no payment, charge, fee, reimbursement of expense, or exchange of value of any kind, or promise or agreement to make the same, may be made for that assistance.

Nothing in this section precludes payment of reasonable fees for medical, legal, or other lawful services rendered in connection with the care of a mother or delivery and care of a child, including, but not limited to, the mother's living expenses or counseling for the parents and/or the child, and for the legal proceedings related to lawful adoption proceedings.