In Good Standing Adoption Agencies Act of 2026
Summary
The "In Good Standing Adoption Agencies Act of 2026" aims to create a national list of licensed private child placement agencies. This list would be maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the United States Children's Bureau. States would be required to submit lists of licensed and accredited agencies in good standing, and the Secretary would then compile a publicly available national list.
Expected Effects
The Act would increase transparency in adoption agency licensing and accreditation across states. It also incentivizes state compliance by tying it to eligibility for adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments. The Act mandates annual reports to Congress, detailing the list and any disciplinary actions taken against agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in adoption agency licensing.
- Improved information accessibility for prospective adoptive parents.
- Enhanced oversight of child placement agencies.
- Potential for identifying and addressing problematic agency practices.
- Incentivizes states to maintain high standards for child placement agencies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on states for reporting.
- Potential for inaccuracies or delays in list compilation.
- Risk of the list being used for unintended purposes (e.g., targeting agencies).
- Possible inconsistencies in licensing standards across different states.
- The act does not address the underlying issues that create the need for adoption.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8), as it aims to improve the well-being of children and families. It does not infringe upon any specific individual liberties or rights outlined in the Bill of Rights. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this act incentivizes state action through funding mechanisms, which is a common practice.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).