H424 - Prohibit Unlawful Custody Transfer of Child. (SL 2016-115)

Overview: S.L. 2016-115 creates a new law in the statutes governing the protection of minors to prohibit the unlawful transfer of custody of a minor child and provide a Class A1 misdemeanor for general violation of the offense, as well as a Class G felony for a violation that results in serious physical injury to the child. The act also makes general conforming changes, clarifies that the prohibition against advertising adoptions applies to communications via email and other internet communications, and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop support programs for families at risk of adoption dissolutions.

The new criminal offense and conforming statutory changes become effective December 1, 2016, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date. The clarification on advertising adoptions and the remainder of the act became effective July 28, 2016.