A Democratic bill with 7 Republican cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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
The ADOPT Act of 2025 aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to criminalize certain adoption practices. The bill seeks to protect families from exploitation by unlicensed intermediaries during private domestic interstate adoptions. It also intends to ensure easier access to licensed and regulated adoption providers. Additionally, the act aims to prevent the commodification of children in these processes. The legislation establishes new criminal offenses, penalties, and definitions regarding adoption advertising and services.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill protects children from potential exploitation and commodification in the adoption process.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction over adoption practices involving interstate commerce.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill increases transparency in the adoption process by regulating intermediaries and advertising.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Unlicensed adoption intermediaries may face significant fines and criminal penalties under this law.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill restricts certain types of adoption-related advertising and communications.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from exploitation: The bill aims to protect individuals and families from being exploited by unlicensed adoption intermediaries during private domestic interstate adoptions (Section 2).
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Access to regulated providers: The act intends to ensure that people seeking assistance with private domestic interstate adoption have ready access to licensed and regulated adoption providers within their communities (Section 2).
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Prevention of commodification: The legislation is designed to prevent the commodification of children who are subjects of private domestic interstate adoptions (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal penalties for intermediaries: Individuals providing adoption intermediary services without meeting specific exceptions could face fines of up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in prison (Section 3(b) and Section 3(f)).
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Criminal penalties for advertising: Those who knowingly place adoption advertisements without meeting specific exceptions could face fines of up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in prison (Section 3(c) and Section 3(f)).
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Restrictions on payments: Providing any thing of value exceeding $2,500 for the benefit of a placing parent in connection with a birth and adoption can be a criminal offense if certain consultation requirements are not met (Section 3(d)).
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Financial penalties for organizations: Organizations found in violation of the new provisions could be fined $100,000 per violation (Section 3(f)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency in the adoption process by regulating intermediaries and advertising. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction over adoption practices involving interstate commerce. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill restricts certain types of adoption-related advertising and communications.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects potential adoptive parents and biological parents from unregulated and potentially exploitative intermediary services.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill protects children from potential exploitation and commodification in the adoption process. Would business owners be better off under this? — Unlicensed adoption intermediaries may face significant fines and criminal penalties under this law.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi