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119-hr-6170119th Congress

ADOPT Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would criminalize unlawful adoption practices by creating a new federal offense that targets abusive advertising, unlicensed intermediary services, and improper payments to placing parents. It defines key terms and ties the new crimes to activities in interstate and foreign commerce.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New adoption rules for parents and agencies

This bill would create new federal crimes for certain adoption advertising, intermediary services, and improper payments. It would ban giving more than $2,500 in money, property, or services to or for a placing parent before that parent consults a licensed child-placing agency or a state-licensed attorney. The ban and other offenses would apply when the conduct uses or affects interstate or foreign commerce, communications, payments, travel, or occurs in U.S. jurisdiction. Individuals could face up to $50,000 per violation and up to 5 years in jail. Organizations could face up to $100,000 per violation. The bill would exempt public child-placing agencies, private state-licensed agencies, certain 501(c)(3) contractors, state-licensed attorneys, and accredited intercountry adoption providers. If enacted, these rules would take effect 120 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4]

AL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/13/2026

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/26/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 1/7/2026

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 2/23/2026

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2026

  • Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

  • Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/3/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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