§ 15-7-3. Report, investigation, and hearing on child brought into state for adoption.

(a) Whenever any person or persons brings or causes to be brought a child, not related to him or her or them, into this state for the purpose of adoption, he or she or they shall make a report to the department of children, youth and families within fifteen (15) days of the entry of the child into this state.

(b) The willful failure, neglect, or refusal of the person or persons having brought or having caused the child to be brought into this state to make the report shall be considered a violation of this chapter and prejudicial to the best interest of the child. The department, upon receipt of the notice or when it receives notice from any source that the person or persons having brought or having caused the child to be brought into this state has or have willfully failed, refused, or neglected to make the report, shall make any investigation that it deems necessary in the circumstances and report the results of that investigation to the family court within sixty (60) days after receipt of the notice.

(c) The family court, after any notice that it deems proper to the parent or parents, and the person or persons having brought, or having caused to be brought, the child into this state, shall, after the filing of the report, hold a hearing to determine whether the proposed placement for adoption is or is not for the best interest of the child.

(d) If the court finds that the proposed placement for adoption is not for the best interest of the child, it shall order that the child be returned to its parent or parents or placed through the department or a licensed child placing agency or with whomsoever the court deems for the best interest of the child.