WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Senate co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation, the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act and the Safe Home Act.

“We’re grateful for the dedication and commitment of adoptive families who open their homes and hearts to children,” said Klobuchar. “As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I will continue to work with Senator Cramer and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure every child has a safe, loving, and permanent family.”

“Giving a child a stable home through adoption is one of the greatest joys for a parent, and I can attest to it,” said Cramer. “Our bills ensure children are not neglected and families have the support services they need throughout the adoption process.”

The Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act supports adoptive families with pre- and post-adoption resources, including mental health treatment. This legislation will promote:

  • Training and counseling on behavioral issues, including issues relating to emotional, behavioral, or developmental health needs;
  • Peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that permit a new adoptive parent to communicate and learn from more experienced adoptive parents, including programs that enhance communication between adoptive parents with children of similar geographic, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds;
  • Treatment services specialized for adopted children, including psychiatric residential services, outpatient mental health services, social skills training, intensive in-home supervision services, recreational therapy, suicide prevention, and substance abuse treatment; and
  • Crisis and family preservation services, including crisis counseling and a 24-hour emergency hotline for adoptive parents.

The Safe Home Act protects a parent’s ability to place their children with a trusted relative when appropriate but ensures they cannot transfer custody to a stranger without the oversight of the child welfare system. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide states with guidance on preventing, identifying, and responding to unregulated custody transfers (UCTs). UCTs occur when parents transfer custody of their adopted children outside of the child welfare system — without background checks, home studies, and supervision — increasing the likelihood that the child will experience neglect, exploitation, or abuse. The bill defines UCTs as the placement of a child:

  • With someone other than a child’s adult relative, family friend, or member of the child’s Indian tribe; 
  • With the intent of severing the existing parent-child relationship;
  • Without ensuring the safety and permanency of the placement; and 
  • Without transferring parental rights and responsibilities under the law.

The Safe Home Act also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the State Department, to issue a report to Congress on UCT and guidance to states on preventing, identifying, and responding to these cases. 

Klobuchar and Cramer serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in Congress. CCA brings together members of Congress from both parties who share the goal of ensuring all children know the love and support of a family through adoption, guardianship, and kinship care. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Danny K. Davis (D-IL) serve as the caucus’s House co-chairs.

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