Chuck Grassley (R-IA)· Jun 11, 2026
S.Amdt. 5821: To change the effective dates.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 aims to improve the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive families. It amends the Social Security Act to require states to develop a family partnership plan. This plan must involve consultation with various stakeholders, including birth families and youth with lived experience. The plan requires states to use data to improve placement stability and reduce reliance on congregate care. Additionally, the act mandates updated reporting on family capacity, challenges, and racial/ethnic representation. Finally, it requires specific foster and adoptive family data to be included in annual reports to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to increase permanency, improve placement stability, and reduce reliance on congregate care for children.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill requires states to analyze and overcome barriers to recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children in foster care.
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill's emphasis on recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children aims to address systemic racial disparities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Family Stability: The requirement for states to use data to increase permanency, improve placement stability, and reduce unnecessary placements in congregate care could benefit children in the system (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Better Support for Relatives: The bill requires states to plan how they will identify, notify, engage, and support relatives as potential placement resources (Section s 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Voice for Youth: The act requires states to authentically engage children and youth in recruitment efforts on their behalf (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Enhanced Recruitment for Special Populations: The plan must address how to improve the recruitment and retention of families for teens, sibling groups, and other special populations (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Improved Representation: The bill requires states to analyze and work to overcome barriers to recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic background of children in foster care (Section 2(a)(2)(5)).
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Informed Policy Through Feedback: States must collect and update summaries regarding feedback from foster/adoptive parents and youth concerning training, support, and the reasons why placements may fail or parents stop fostering (Section 2(a)(2)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Implementation Delays: While the amendment generally takes effect October 1, 2027, states that require new legislation to meet these requirements may have a delay in compliance until after their next regular legislative session (Section 2(b)(1) and (2)).
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 children be better off under this? — The bill aims to increase permanency, improve placement stability, and reduce reliance on congregate care for children. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill's emphasis on recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children aims to address systemic racial disparities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill's emphasis on recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children aims to address systemic racial disparities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improving the stability of foster and adoptive placements can provide better support for low-income families navigating the system. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The focus on improving outcomes for youth with lived experience in foster care benefits those transitioning to adulthood. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill's focus on specialized recruitment can assist in creating stable environments for children with diverse needs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill requires states to analyze and overcome barriers to recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children in foster care. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By improving stability and permanency for children in foster care, the bill provides a foundation for long-term family stability.
- 6/15/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/12/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/11/2026
- Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2770-2771)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2770-2771)
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2770-2771)
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi