Bill > S604

This bill, known as the Safe Home Act of 2025, addresses the issue of unregulated custody transfers of adopted children by defining and seeking to prevent such transfers. The bill recognizes that some adoptive families face challenges, including children's mental health needs, which can lead to informal transfers of child custody without proper legal oversight. It defines an "unregulated custody transfer" as the abandonment of a child by placing them with someone who is not a close relative, family friend, or tribal member, without ensuring the child's safety, conducting background checks, or legally transferring parental rights. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve public awareness about preventing adoption disruption, update federal resources with educational materials for child welfare agencies, and provide information to prospective adoptive families about pre- and post-adoption services. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress within two years, which must include information on the causes, methods, and effects of unregulated custody transfers, data on their prevalence, and recommended policies for prevention and response. The ultimate goal is to protect adopted children from potential unsafe placements and provide better support for adoptive families.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/604/all-info