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S604119th CongressWALLET

Safe Home Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

Introduced

Summary

Unregulated custody transfers are defined as a federal problem and placed at the center of a new effort to raise awareness, provide technical help, and require a two-year congressional report on the issue.

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  • Families and children: Sets a clear definition of “unregulated custody transfer,” highlights harms such as trauma, placement instability, missing background checks, and risks to intercountry adoptions and citizenship, and excludes safe-haven infant surrenders.
  • Child-welfare systems and adoptive families: Directs the Secretary, working with other federal agencies, to update federal websites and provide education and technical-assistance materials for State, local, and Tribal child-welfare staff and for prospective and current adoptive families about prevention, pre-adoption education, and post-adoption services.
  • Federal study and statutory cleanup: Requires a report to Congress within two years with state-by-state prevalence, causes and methods including social media, effects including lack of social services or court assessment, policy recommendations, and a description of federal outreach activities. Also updates a cross-reference to reflect the new section numbering.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Defines unregulated custody transfers

If enacted, the bill would define “unregulated custody transfer.” It would cover when a parent or guardian leaves a child with someone who is not a close relative, family friend, or eligible tribal member. It would apply when the placement aims to end the parent-child relationship and happens without safety checks like a home study, background check, supervision, or a legal transfer of parental rights. It would not include safe-haven infant surrenders that follow State law.

Federal outreach on adoption safety

If enacted, the bill would direct the Health and Human Services Secretary, with other agencies, to improve public awareness and update federal websites. It would provide education materials for State, local, and Tribal child welfare staff on preventing, identifying, and responding to risky custody placements. It would also provide information for prospective adoptive families on pre-adoption education and post-adoption services to support stable placements. This is outreach and technical help, not new cash benefits or penalties.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

MN • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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