2024 Congressional Wrap-up
The 2023-2024 (118th) session of Congress concluded in late December with a mix of wins and near-misses. Here is a recap of major issues tracked by Voice for Adoption and their final status for the year.
Title IV-B Reauthorization: On December 21, the Senate passed legislation (H.R. 9076) by unanimous consent that reauthorized Title IV-B programs. The legislation included several priorities backed by Voice for Adoption, including new research funding for evidence-based prevention programs that qualify for funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act, a new HHS report on post-adoption and subsidized guardianship services, and several others (see our summary here). The bill is awaiting President Biden’s signature.
Foster and Adoptive Parent Recruitment: The House passed legislation to strengthen family recruitment (HR 3058) last January, but unfortunately it was not acted on in the Senate. Voice for Adoption joined the National Foster Parent Association, a VFA member, in supporting this bill. Some states were reportedly concerned about the lack of additional funding to meet the legislation’s new requirements (see our summary here). Congressional staff have indicated to us that the issue may be revisited in the upcoming session of Congress. This will give us additional time to share the newly developed State Advisory Council recommendations.
ADOPT Act: Congress did not pass the ADOPT Act (HR 8220), legislation that would have regulated certain practices by unlicensed adoption agencies (see our summary here). Voice for Adoption joined Ethical Family Building, a VFA member, in supporting this bill. Celeste Liversidge, who led efforts for Ethical Family Building on behalf of the bill, hopes it will be enacted in the coming session of Congress. She also reports that there are similar efforts underway in multiple states.
ASFA Repeal / Reform: House legislation (HR 7664) that would have substantially repealed and/or modified key provisions of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) – including termination of parental rights (TPR) requirements -- did not move. This was expected, since Republicans, who controlled the House, did not support the bill. Voice for Adoption took no position on this legislation (see our previous summary here).
