H.R. 5626, Intercountry Adoption Information Act of 2018

Floor Situation

On Tuesday, July 10, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 5626, the Intercountry Adoption Information Act of 2018, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on April 26, 2018 Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) and was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which ordered the bill reported by voice vote on May 17, 2018.

Summary

H.R. 5626 requires the State Department to include in the annual intercountry adoption report to Congress information on countries that have enacted new laws or policies that would impact intercountry adoptions for American families.

Background

Countries like Russia, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have erected barriers to adoptions that involve American citizens. As a result, Americans often struggle to find updated information on policies that curb or prevent international adoptions and what is being done to remove those hurdles. Currently, the U.S. State Department must publish an annual, public report on the statistics surrounding intercountry adoptions.[1]

The Intercountry Adoption Information Act would require the State Department to include in its annual report to Congress information on countries that have enacted or continued policies that have halted or reduced adoptions of children from foreign nations by American parents. The legislation would also urge the State Department to include information on its efforts to encourage countries to resume adoption proceedings that have been affected by foreign policies.[2]

According to the bill sponsor, “Families and vulnerable children suffer when countries establish policies that are hostile to ongoing international adoptions, and we can do more to help American parents navigate this space. The flood of bipartisan support that the Foreign Affairs Committee gave the Intercountry Adoption Information Act today should encourage loving families who are waiting to be united with their children. I look forward to a full House vote on this compassionate, commonsense bill.”[3]

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2018‑2023 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Ryan Hofmann with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-6674.