ADOPT Act of 2025
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency Act of 2025 (ADOPT Act) aims to combat exploitation in private domestic interstate adoptions by criminalizing certain practices. Specifically, it makes unlawful the provision of ‘adoption intermediary services’ – such as advertising or facilitating connections between placing parents and prospective adoptive parents – and knowingly providing unauthorized payments to placing parents. The bill also prohibits placing an adoption advertisement without proper licensing or oversight. It establishes penalties for violations and includes exceptions for certain public agencies and accredited adoption service providers.
Key provisions
- Criminalizes the provision of ‘adoption intermediary services’ (e.g., advertising, facilitating connections).
- Prohibits knowingly providing unauthorized payments to placing parents exceeding $2,500 before consultation with a licensed professional.
- Makes it illegal to place adoption advertisements without proper licensing or oversight.
- Defines key terms like ‘adoption advertising,’ ‘adoption intermediary services,’ and ‘placing parent.’
- Establishes penalties of fines and imprisonment for violations.
- Includes exceptions for public child-placing agencies, certain non-profit organizations, licensed attorneys, and accredited intercountry adoption service providers.
- Specifies circumstances where interstate or foreign commerce is relevant to the application of the law.
- Creates a new chapter in Title 18, United States Code, addressing child support and unlawful adoption practices.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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8 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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