Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan ADOPT Act to Protect Adoptive Families from Exploitation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and four colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act to protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries. This legislation would ensure that adoption providers and attorneys operate only in states where they are licensed to do so.

The ADOPT Act would protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by:

• Prohibiting adoption advertising and the provision of private adoption services for compensation by any entity not licensed as a child-placing agency or attorney; and
• Restricting payments to expectant mothers unless made through a provider licensed in the state where the expectant mother resides.

The ADOPT Act is endorsed by leading adoption organizations, including the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), Ethical Family Building, Adoptees United, and Families Rising.

In addition to Senators Hirono, Klobuchar, and Blackburn, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Jon Husted (R-OH). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA).

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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