HASBSB496 GETTYSH 3720
SENATE SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB 496 2024 Regular Session Edmonds
KEYWORD AND SUMMARY AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
CHILDREN. Provides for licensure requirements in adoption services. (8/1/24)
SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO THE SENATE BILL
1. Make technical change.
DIGEST OF THE SENATE BILL AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
SB 496 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Edmonds
Present law (R.S. 46:1425) provides that it shall be prohibited for an adoption facilitator, as
is defined in R.S. 46:1425.1, to advertise for adoption services.
Present law provides that if any person advertises in violation of present law, the attorney
general, DCFS, the appropriate district attorney, or any licensed child-placing agency or a
La. based crisis pregnancy or resource 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.
Present law provides that nothing in present law 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 present law and
preplacement and home studies as provided in present law.
Present law provides that anyone who violates the provisions of present law 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.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that it shall be unlawful for an adoption
facilitator or an entity not licensed in La. to assist in the adoption of children.
Proposed law provides that an individual or entity licensed in La. to participate in the
adoption process or assist in the adoption of children shall be considered a mandatory
reporter for purposes of proposed law.
Proposed law (R.S. 46:1425.1) provides that an adoption facilitator shall not engage in any
of the following activities:
(1)Advertising for the purpose of soliciting parties to an adoption, locating children for
an adoption, or acting as an intermediary between the parties to an adoption.
(2)Charging a fee or other valuable consideration for service rendered relating to an
adoption, whether directly or indirectly, for locating children for adoption, or acting
as an intermediary between the parties to an adoption.
Proposed law provides that as used in proposed law, "adoption facilitator" means an
individual or juridical person that acts as intermediary or facilitator between adoptive parents
and birth mothers.
Proposed law provides that an "adoption facilitator" shall not include any of the following:
(1)A licensed adoption agency.
(2)An attorney licensed to practice law in La. HASBSB496 GETTYSH 3720
(3)Any individual licensed to provide mental health counseling and preplacement and
home studies as provided in present law.
(4)A La.-based crisis pregnancy center or La.-based pregnancy resource center.
(5)An individual who does not receive a fee or other valuable consideration for services
rendered relating to an adoption, whether directly or indirectly, for locating children
for adoption, or acting as an intermediary between the parties to an adoption.
Proposed law provides that a violation of proposed law shall be an unfair trade practice as
provided in present law.
Proposed law (R.S. 51:1402(10)(c)) provides that "trade" or "commerce" shall include the
advertising or collecting fees as an adoption facilitator in violation of proposed law.
Effective Aug. 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 46:1425; Adds R.S. 46:1425(E), R.S. 46:1425.1, and R.S. 51:1402(10)(c))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary A to the
original bill
1. Makes technical amendments.
2. Provides prohibitions relative to adoption facilitators.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Includes that an "adoption facilitator" shall not include La.-based crisis
pregnancy centers or La.-based pregnancy resource centers.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Civil Law and
Procedure to the reengrossed bill:
1. Make technical change.
______________________
Hanna Gettys
Attorney