Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements - Missouri

Use of Advertisement

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Use of Intermediaries/Facilitators

Citation: Ann. Stat. §§ 568.175; 453.014

A person, partnership, corporation, agency, association, institution, society, or other organization commits the crime of trafficking in children if he, she, or it offers, gives, receives, or solicits any money, consideration, or other thing of value for the delivery or offer of delivery of a child to another person, partnership, corporation, agency, association, institution, society, or other organization for purposes of adoption, or for the execution of a consent to adopt, a waiver of consent to future adoption, or a consent to termination of parental rights. A crime is not committed under this section if the money, consideration, or thing of value or conduct is permitted under chapter 453 relating to adoption.

The following persons may place a minor for adoption:

• The Children's Division of the Department of Social Services
• A licensed child-placing agency
• The child's parents, without the direct or indirect assistance of an intermediary, in the home of a relative of the child within the third degree
• An intermediary, including a licensed attorney, a licensed physician, or a clergyperson of the parents

All persons granted the authority to place a minor child for adoption shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health and Senior Services for such placement.