What does Preamble of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To enhance pre- and post-adoption support services, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act.

What does ADOPTION SUPPORT SERVICES. of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to ensure the well-being of adopted children and their adoptive families. It designates 'adoption promotion and support services' as services encouraging adoptions from the foster care system and supporting domestic and international adoptions. Pre-adoption support services may include training, counseling, educational resources, and peer mentoring for adoptive parents. Post-adoption support services may include continued pre-adoption services, respite care, counseling for adopted children, and crisis intervention. The definition of 'pre- and post-adoption support services' includes addressing issues like emotional, behavioral, developmental health needs, attachment, identity, abandonment, cultural differences, grief, loss, and trauma.

What does FUNDING FOR ADOPTION PROMOTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES. of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This section amends paragraph (8) of section 473(a) of the Social Security Act. States are required to spend a 'significant portion' of savings resulting from the application of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) on pre- and post-adoption support services. The remaining savings must be spent on other services available under the part or part B. States must annually submit a report to the Secretary detailing services funded under this paragraph.

What does FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM FOR POST-ADOPTION AND POST-LEGAL of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to establish a Federal grant program for post-adoption and post-legal guardianship mental health services. The Secretary is required to reserve $20,000,000 for grants under this program, to be distributed from fiscal years 2026 through 2029. Eligible entities for these grants include States, public or private nonprofit organizations designated by a State, and federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Grant funds can be used to develop and implement mental health service programs, collect data, provide training, develop materials for adoptive parents and legal guardians, and support research. At least 85% of funds must be used to provide direct services, with at least 5% dedicated to data collection and analysis. The Secretary is directed to collaborate with relevant Federal agencies and adoption-related working groups.

What does DATA COLLECTION ON ADOPTION DISRUPTION AND DISSOLUTION. of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This section amends Section 479 of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to collect and analyze information regarding children entering State custody due to adoption disruption or dissolution. The collected data will include information such as the number of children experiencing disruption or dissolution, country of birth (if not born in the US), length of adoption placement, child's age, reason for disruption/dissolution, and agencies involved. The information is intended to improve research, identify effective support services, understand the relationship between support services and disruption rates, and develop prevention strategies and training. The Secretary is also directed to establish an advisory committee to study data collection methods for adoptions disrupted or dissolved outside of State custody, including adoption displacements. The advisory committee will include representatives from State and child welfare agencies, organizations serving adopted children, and the judiciary. Section 479A(a) of the Social Security Act is amended to require an annual report including national and state-by-state data on adoption disruptions and dissolutions, as collected under the new section 479(e)(1).

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act do?

This section establishes the effective date for amendments made by the Act. Generally, the amendments take effect on October 1, 2025, and apply to payments under parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after that date. A delay is permitted if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that state legislation is required for a state plan to meet the new requirements. The plan will not be considered non-compliant before the first calendar quarter after the first regular session of the state legislature following enactment. For states with 2-year legislative sessions, each year is considered a separate regular session. The Secretary may provide additional time for Indian tribes, organizations, or consortia to comply with the amendments. The amendments made by section 5 of the Act take effect on the date of enactment.

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Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act

Last updated: 2/13/2025 · Introduced: 2/13/2025

Author: Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill expands pre- and post-adoption support services for adoptive families, including counseling, training, and respite care, to address emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of adopted children.
It establishes a federal grant program providing $20 million annually from 2026-2029 to support post-adoption mental health services for adopted children and legal guardians.
The bill mandates the collection and analysis of data on adoption disruptions and dissolutions to improve research, identify effective support services, and develop prevention strategies.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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