SECTION 63-9-70. Advertising prohibited to place or accept child for adoption; exception; penalties.

(A) No person or entity other than the Department of Social Services, a child placing agency licensed in this State, or an attorney licensed in this State may advertise that the person or entity will place or accept a child for adoption. (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), a person is not prohibited from advertising that the person desires to adopt if the person has a current preplacement home investigation finding that the person is suitable to be an adoptive parent. (C)(1) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. (2) The family court shall enjoin a person or entity from violating a provision of this section. (D) For purposes of this section, "advertise" means to communicate by newspaper, radio, television, hand bills, placards or other print, broadcast or electronic medium that originates within this State.