Sec. 55.
(1) Only a person specified in sections 23a(1), 23b(1), and 23c of this chapter may place a child for adoption. A prospective adoptive parent may advertise for, solicit, or recruit biological parents or guardians of potential adoptees for the purposes of a court-supervised adoption. A biological parent or guardian, the court, department, or child placing agency with authority to place a child may advertise for, solicit, or recruit potential adoptive parents only to fulfill the purposes of a court-supervised adoption of that child. No other person or entity may advertise for, solicit, or recruit prospective parents for the purpose of facilitating the transfer, adoption, or other permanent placement of a child.
(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $100.00, or both, for the first violation, and of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both, for each subsequent violation. The court may enjoin from further violations any person who violates this section.
(3) As used in this section, "advertise for, solicit, or recruit" means to communicate in person, in writing, or via any medium, public or private, for the purpose of locating a previously unknown person or entity with whom to temporarily or permanently place a child. Advertise for, solicit, or recruit does not include disseminating information about the availability of an attorney's legal services, including an advertisement or website as allowed under the Michigan rules of professional conduct.
History: Add. 1994, Act 222, Eff. Jan. 1, 1995 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 481, Eff. Apr. 6, 2017 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 183, Imd. Eff. Oct. 8, 2020 Popular Name: Probate Code
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapters 701 - 713 - Probate Code
Act 288 of 1939 - Probate Code of 1939 (701.1 - 713.6)
288-1939-X - Chapter X Michigan Adoption Code (710.1...710.70)
Section 710.1-710.14 - Repealed. 1974, Act 296, Eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
Section 710.21 - Short Title of Act; Michigan Adoption Code.
Section 710.21a - General Purposes of Chapter.
Section 710.22a - Adoption Placement or Issuance of Order Prohibited; Convictions.
Section 710.23 - Hearing Appeal Brought Under MCL 400.115k; Powers of Court.
Section 710.23c - Placement of Child by Court.
Section 710.23d - Temporary Placement; Procedures.
Section 710.23f - Preplacement Assessment.
Section 710.25 - Proceedings; Priority; Disposition; Adjournment or Continuance.
Section 710.33 - Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity.
Section 710.37 - Termination of Rights of Putative Father.
Section 710.43 - Consent to Adoption; Persons Authorized to Execute.
Section 710.46 - Investigation; Considerations; Report; Waiver.
Section 710.48 - Repealed. 1980, Act 288, Eff. Oct. 17, 1980.
Section 710.52 - Supervision of Child; Reports.
Section 710.55a - Representation by Attorney.
Section 710.56a - Repealed. 2008, Act 331, Eff. Dec. 18, 2008.
Section 710.58 - Order of Adoption; Certified Copies.
Section 710.62 - Effect of Denying Order of Adoption.
Section 710.63 - Denial of Petition or Motion or Failure to Issue Order; Statement by Court.
Section 710.65 - Appeal to Court of Appeals; Staying Court Order Pending Appeal; Priority.
Section 710.69 - Violation of MCL 710.41 as Felony.
Section 710.70 - Prior Adoption Proceedings or Orders of Adoption.