OH HB713

Prohibits any person or entity other than a certified agency or attorney from providing adoption services for compensation, and bars agencies/attorneys from referring clients to out-of-state entities or uncertified in-state entities offering prohibited services.

Removes existing provisions that allowed biological parents and qualified adoptive parents to advertise regarding adoption placement.

Creates a fifth-degree felony for knowingly violating the prohibition on compensated adoption facilitation by non-agencies/attorneys, with mandatory fines of $15,000-$30,000; creates a first-degree misdemeanor for improper referrals.

Establishes a new civil cause of action allowing injured parties to recover minimum damages of $5,000 per violation, plus punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Requires private child placing agencies and private noncustodial agencies to operate as nonprofits to receive state certification.