Alabama Code 26-10E-32. Persons who may place, or facilitate the placement of, a minor for adoption
Attorney's Note
Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class C felony | 1 to 10 years | up to $15,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $6,000 |
Terms Used In Alabama Code 26-10E-32
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
- preceding: means next before. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
Only a parent, a parent of a deceased parent, or a relative of the degree of relationship specified in Section 26-10E-27, the State Department of Human Resources, a licensed child placing agency, or an agency approved by the department may place, or facilitate the placement of, a minor for adoption. No person or entity other than the department or a licensed child placing agency shall engage in the business of placing, or facilitating the placement of, minors for adoption. Any individual or entity making more than two separate and distinctive placements of minors who are unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners for adoption within the preceding 12-month period shall be deemed to be in the business of placing minors for adoption. Any other person who places, or facilitates the placement of, a minor for adoption is, upon the first conviction, guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and, upon subsequent convictions, is guilty of a Class C felony. This section does not intend to make it unlawful for any person not engaged in the business of placing, or facilitating the placement of, minors for adoption to give advice and assistance to a biological parent in an adoption. In making adoption arrangements, potential adopting parents and biological parents are entitled to the advice and assistance of legal counsel. Surrogate motherhood is not intended to be covered by this section.