Proposed Legislation: National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act

Press Release from Rep. Jared Huffman:

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) introduced the “National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act,” legislation that would improve how adoptions are conducted in the United States, including improving home study standards through the creation of a national standard and registry. This bill would create greater uniformity between states and ensure that the needs of children are put first no matter where they live. . . .

Specifically the bill amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), directing that Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a voluntary national standard and registry within the Adoption Opportunities Program, including:

·         The development of an evidence-based National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study assessment standard and demonstration program.

·         The development and deployment of a National Home Study Registry to allow foster care and adoption agencies across the nation to access through a secure system information about prospective families, providing a more efficient matching of foster and adoptive children to prospective families.

·         The independent evaluation of National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study methodology and National Home Study Registry deployment.

The bill text can be found by clicking here.