ADOPT Act of 2025

The Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency Act of 2025 (ADOPT Act) aims to safeguard individuals and families involved in private domestic interstate adoptions from exploitation. Its core purpose is to prevent the commodification of children by ensuring that adoption services are provided by licensed and regulated entities. The bill establishes new federal criminal offenses under Title 18 of the U.S. Code for unlawful adoption practices. Specifically, it criminalizes knowingly providing adoption intermediary services for compensation unless performed by a public or private licensed child-placing agency, a licensed attorney, or certain accredited intercountry adoption providers. It also prohibits knowingly placing adoption advertisements unless done by these authorized entities. Furthermore, the Act makes it an offense to knowingly provide anything of value exceeding $2,500 to a placing parent in connection with a child's birth and adoption, before consultation with a licensed agency or attorney. This provision aims to prevent undue influence or coercion during the adoption process. These offenses apply when interstate or foreign commerce is involved, such as through travel, communication, or payments. Violations by individuals can result in fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both, per offense. Organizations face fines of $100,000 per violation. The bill clarifies that it does not affect the Indian Child Welfare Act, intercountry adoption programs, or prevent states from enacting more stringent regulations.