West Virginia Adoption Laws, Page 8

Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements

Use of Advertisement
Not addressed in statutes reviewed

Use of Intermediaries/Facilitators
Statute: § 48-22-803

Any person or agency who knowingly offers, gives, or agrees to give to another person, and any person who receives, accepts, or offers to accept, money, property, service or other thing of value in consideration for the recipient's locating, providing, or procuring a minor child for any purpose that entails a transfer of the legal or physical custody of said child, including, but not limited to, adoption or placement, is guilty of a felony.
A child whose parent, guardian, or custodian has sold or attempted to sell said child in violation of this article may be deemed an abused child. The court may place such a child in the custody of the department of health and human resources or with such other responsible person as the best interests of the child dictate.
This section does not prohibit the payment or receipt of the following:
- Fees paid for reasonable and customary services provided by the department of health and human resources or any licensed or duly authorized adoption or child-placing agency
- Reasonable and customary legal, medical, hospital, or other expenses incurred in connection with the pregnancy, birth, and adoption proceeding
- Fees and expenses included in any agreement in which a woman agrees to become a surrogate mother
- Any fees or charges authorized by law or approved by a court in a proceeding relating to the placement plan, prospective placement, or placement of a minor child for adoption

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)