Bill > HR6170

This bill, known as the ADOPT Act of 2025, aims to criminalize certain unlawful adoption practices in private domestic interstate adoptions by establishing new federal criminal offenses. The legislation creates legal restrictions on adoption intermediary services, adoption advertising, and payments to placing parents, with significant penalties for violations. Specifically, the bill makes it illegal for unlicensed entities to provide intermediary services that connect placing parents with prospective adoptive parents, place adoption advertisements soliciting parents or children for adoption, or provide payments exceeding $2,500 to placing parents before consulting a licensed child-placing agency or attorney. Exceptions are made for public child-placing agencies, licensed private agencies, attorneys, and certain non-profit organizations. Individuals found in violation could face fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years per violation, while organizations could be fined $100,000 per violation. The law applies to activities involving interstate commerce, such as using internet, phone, or travel across state lines in furtherance of these activities. The bill's purpose is to protect families from exploitation, ensure access to licensed adoption services, and prevent the commodification of children in adoption processes. The act will take effect 120 days after its enactment and does not interfere with existing laws like the Indian Child Welfare Act or intercountry adoption regulations.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6170/all-info