Unlawful Adoption Practices

Adoption Network Cleveland believes that Ohio law should be amended to permit only nonprofit Ohio-licensed adoption agencies to engage in adoption facilitation services.

Incidents of illegal adoption-related activity are occurring throughout Ohio, wherein unregulated, unlicensed entities are advertising and providing adoption services to hopeful adoptive parents and pregnant women in exchange for money, both of which are expressly prohibited in Ohio. There are examples where unlicensed adoption brokers charge prospective adoptive parents a nonrefundable “match” fee ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 in exchange for arranging an introduction between the prospective parents and a pregnant woman or the biological mother of a child. These activities take advantage of vulnerable Ohioans, inviting the potential for child trafficking and blurring the line between the provision of legitimate adoption services and gray market adoptions.

These unlicensed adoption providers target individuals at stressful points of life, including women facing an unintended pregnancy, children in need of an adoptive home, and couples often desperate to adopt a child. Ohio is one of 33 states that have enacted laws prohibiting unlicensed adoption providers from advertising or providing adoption services, however, these laws are not being enforced.

What do we believe:
Restricting adoption facilitation to nonprofit Ohio-licensed adoption agencies is essential to uphold ethical practices, protect vulnerable populations, and maintain public trust in the adoption process. Adoption Network Cleveland is committed to advocating for these changes and ensuring that adoption practices in Ohio remain ethical, transparent, and centered on the well-being of all individuals involved.

What action steps should we take:
1.    Legislative Advocacy - Working with state legislators to draft and introduce a bill that limits adoption intermediary services and paid advertising to adoption providers licensed by the State of Ohio. To ensure adequate services, financial transparency, and accountability by recommending that Ohio licensed adoption agencies be structured as nonprofit organizations. This would also include a mechanism for strict enforcement through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Attorney General and county prosecutors.

2.    Community Education - Raise public awareness about the risks of unregulated adoption facilitation through workshops, publications, and social media campaigns.

3.    Stakeholder Collaboration - Partner with child welfare organizations and government entities, such as the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, legal professionals, and advocacy groups to build support of ethical adoption practices.

Passed by the Board on 8/21/2025.
 

Position Statement on Ethical Advertising in Ohio

Adoption Network Cleveland believes that Ohio law should be amended to permit only nonprofit Ohio-licensed adoption agencies to engage in paid advertising for adoption services.

Historically, the state maintained strict controls over who could advertise adoption services, limiting this activity to government agencies and Ohio-licensed adoption agencies. These restrictions were designed to ensure ethical practices, safeguard vulnerable populations, and maintain accountability.

In 2015, these laws were relaxed, allowing private individuals who identify as a qualified prospective adoptive parent or a biological parent to advertise through electronic, written, visual, and oral means.

Why is This Important
This practice increases the risk of adoption fraud and exploitation and invites the potential for child trafficking, blurring the line between legitimate adoption services and gray market adoptions.

This also increases the risk of unethical practices, such as pressure to relinquish parental rights or promises of financial incentives that may not be legally or ethically appropriate.

What do we believe:
Restricting adoption advertising to nonprofit Ohio-licensed adoption agencies is essential to uphold ethical practices, protect vulnerable populations, and maintain public trust in the adoption process. Adoption Network Cleveland is committed to advocating for these changes and ensuring that adoption practices in Ohio remain ethical, transparent, and centered on the well-being of all individuals involved.

What actions should we take:
To address the challenges posed by adoption advertising, Adoption Network Cleveland calls for:

1. Legislative Advocacy - Working with state legislators to draft and introduce a bill reinstating restrictions on adoption advertising, allowing only nonprofit adoption agencies licensed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to advertise adoption services and opportunities.

2. Community Education - Raise public awareness about the risks of unregulated adoption of advertising through workshops, publications, and social media campaigns.

3. Stakeholder Collaboration - Partner with child welfare organizations and government agencies, such as the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, legal professionals, and advocacy groups to build support for ethical advertising practices.

Passed by the Board on 6/26/2025.