A Democratic bill with 171 Democratic cosponsors · See all 171 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, bans discrimination based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status in child welfare services that receive federal funding. It aims to improve safety, stability, and permanency for foster youth, especially LGBTQ youth, who often face high rates of mistreatment and instability in the system. The bill prohibits entities from excluding children, youths, families, or individuals from participating in or receiving child welfare services based on these protected categories under Section 3(a). It allows individuals to file civil lawsuits in a U.S. district court if they are harmed by a violation, as outlined in Section 3(b). Additionally, the legislation requires data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, establishes a national resource center, and permits the Secretary to withhold federal funds if a covered entity fails to comply.
Yes· 3 of 23
- Scored +10
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?
Directly targets the improvement of safety, permanency, and non-discrimination for LGBTQ youth and parents in child welfare.
- Scored +10
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?
Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in child welfare services and creates a national resource center.
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
Protects children in foster care from discrimination and improves placement stability and safety.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Requires states to amend laws and regulations to comply with federal non-discrimination standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Discrimination: Under Section 3(a), children, youths, families, and individuals are explicitly protected from being excluded, denied benefits, or discriminated against in child welfare services based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. This ensures that qualified prospective parents, including single individuals and same-sex couples, have a fair opportunity to foster or adopt.
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Support for LGBTQ Youth: Section 3(g) establishes a National Resource Center specifically tasked with increasing LGBTQ cultural competency, promoting child welfare services that address the specific needs of LGBTQ youth, and improving safety, well-being, placement stability, and permanency outcomes.
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Legal Accountability: Section 3(b) provides a private right of action, allowing any individual aggrieved by a violation of the Act to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court to seek appropriate relief, including injunctive relief and attorneys' fees.
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Technical Assistance and Training: Under Section 3(d), the Secretary is required to provide technical assistance, guidance, and training to help states and covered entities eliminate inconsistent laws and practices, expand recruitment efforts to all prospective parents, and train judges and attorneys.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Federal Funding for Non-Compliant Entities: Under Section 3(h)(3), if the Secretary finds that a covered entity has failed to comply with the Act, the Secretary may withhold payments of certain federal funds under parts B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act. This could potentially reduce the financial resources available to certain child welfare agencies or states, impacting the overall operations of those services.
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Exclusion of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Section 3(j)(2) explicitly states that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 shall not provide a claim concerning, or a defense to a claim under, the Act, nor provide a basis for challenging its enforcement. This may place certain religious-affiliated child welfare providers in a position where they must alter their traditional practices or risk losing federal funds and facing civil lawsuits.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Directly targets the improvement of safety, permanency, and non-discrimination for LGBTQ youth and parents in child welfare. Would children be better off under this? — Protects children in foster care from discrimination and improves placement stability and safety. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Extends protections to individuals aged 23 or younger in the child welfare system. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Specifically addresses the intersection of race and LGBTQ identity in foster care and aims to reduce discriminatory removals. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improves the quality and fairness of child welfare services, which are predominantly used by low-income families. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Provides non-discrimination protections for youth of color in the child welfare system. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Provides non-discrimination protections for youth of color in the child welfare system. Would men be better off under this? — Protects single men from discrimination in the adoption process. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Provides non-discrimination protections for youth of color in the child welfare system. Would women be better off under this? — Protects single women from discrimination in the adoption process. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Requires service delivery to be respectful of social identities, including cognitive and physical ability. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Increases the pool of eligible foster and adoptive parents by removing discriminatory barriers based on marital status or religion.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in child welfare services and creates a national resource center. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Prohibits sex-based discrimination and recognizes diverse gender identities in the provision of child welfare services. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Acknowledges the overrepresentation of youth of color in foster care and mandates culturally sensitive service delivery. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Aims to increase the pool of available foster homes, potentially reducing the number of LGBTQ youth who become homeless after aging out of care. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Includes cognitive and physical ability as part of the social identity requirements for respectful service delivery. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Prohibits discrimination based on religion for prospective parents while allowing children to be connected with affirming faith-based resources.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the HHS Secretary authority to withhold federal funds from states that fail to comply with the non-discrimination mandates. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Creates a private right of action allowing individuals to sue in federal court for discrimination violations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates the collection and reporting of specific data regarding LGBTQ youth in foster care through the GAO and AFCRS. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Requires states to amend laws and regulations to comply with federal non-discrimination standards.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — By prohibiting conversion therapy and promoting affirming care for LGBTQ youth in foster care, the bill improves mental health outcomes. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes funding for the National Resource Center to collect and analyze data on LGBTQ youth in child welfare.
- 11/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/1/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/30/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 6/18/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/20/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/16/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/6/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/17/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/13/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/2/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/30/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 1/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 12/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 12/3/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 12/2/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 12/1/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 11/25/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 11/20/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 77 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Pete AguilarDemocrat · California
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Ami BeraDemocrat · California
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Everton BlairDemocrat · Georgia
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Diana DeGetteDemocrat · Colorado
Rosa DeLauroDemocrat · Connecticut
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Bill FosterDemocrat · Illinois
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Laura FriedmanDemocrat · California
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jimmy GomezDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
James HimesDemocrat · Connecticut
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Pablo HernándezDemocrat · Puerto Rico
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Sydney Kamlager-DoveDemocrat · California
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Gregory MeeksDemocrat · New York
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Frank MrvanDemocrat · Indiana
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Robert MenendezDemocrat · New Jersey
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
John MannionDemocrat · New York
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Christian MenefeeDemocrat · Texas
Analilia MejiaDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Johnny OlszewskiDemocrat · Maryland
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Stacey PlaskettDemocrat · Virgin Islands
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
Nellie PouDemocrat · New Jersey
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Luz RivasDemocrat · California
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
David ScottDemocrat · Georgia
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Bradley SchneiderDemocrat · Illinois
Eric SwalwellDemocrat · California
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Greg StantonDemocrat · Arizona
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Mike ThompsonDemocrat · California
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Norma TorresDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Lori TrahanDemocrat · Massachusetts
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Derek TranDemocrat · California
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Juan VargasDemocrat · California
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Maxine WatersDemocrat · California
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia