§1425. Adoption services; requirements for advertising; injunctive relief; exceptions; penalties

            A. It shall be prohibited for an adoption facilitator, as is defined in R.S. 46:1426, to advertise for adoption services.

            B. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed child-placing agency or a Louisiana-based crisis pregnancy center or Louisiana-based pregnancy resource center to advertise through print or electronic media that it will adopt children or assist in the adoption of children.

            C. If any person advertises in violation of this Section, the attorney general, the Department of Children and Family Services, the appropriate district attorney, or any licensed child-placing agency or a Louisiana-based crisis pregnancy center may file suit in district court according to the general rules of venue to obtain injunctive relief to restrain the person from continuing the violation.

            D. Nothing in this Section shall apply to any individual licensed to practice law in this state while such individual is engaged in the practice of law or to any individual licensed to provide mental health counseling as provided in Children's Code Article 1120 and preplacement and home studies as provided in Children's Code Article 1173.

            E. Anyone who violates the provisions of this Section shall be liable for all costs of any proceeding brought to enjoin such violation, including reasonable attorney fees, which shall be set by the court.

            Acts 1997, No. 1070, §1; Acts 2013, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2024, No. 362, §1.