Danny Davis (D-IL)

John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act

H.R. 6181 · House bill Families

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

  1. Introduced
  2. 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.