Sponsors (2)
The bill improves transparency and federal oversight of state‑licensed private child placement agencies to help families and policymakers, but it creates compliance-linked funding risks and administrative burdens that could reduce resources or delay services for some states, agencies, and families.
Parents and children, plus State governments and the Children's Bureau: a centralized, up‑to‑date national list of State‑licensed private child placement agencies will increase public information and transparency, helping families choose providers and enabling federal/state oversight of placement providers.
Congress and federal oversight bodies: will receive annual reports identifying gaps between State‑licensed agencies and those submitted, improving legislative oversight and enabling targeted policy responses.
State governments: better transparency and reporting reduces information asymmetries about agency licensure and disciplinary status, supporting more consistent regulatory oversight across states.
State governments: states that fail to submit the required list risk losing eligibility for adoption/guardianship incentive payments, potentially reducing funds used to promote and support adoptions.
Children and families: if States miss reporting deadlines or face administrative compliance issues, families could experience delays or reductions in supports tied to incentive programs while compliance is resolved.
Private nonprofit child placement agencies: increased administrative scrutiny and public exposure of disciplinary actions may deter some small nonprofits or complicate their operations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires States to annually report licensed, 501(c)(3) private child placement (adoption) agencies in good standing; the Children’s Bureau must publish a national list and report to Congress; reporting is tied to incentive eligibility.
Introduced January 23, 2026 by Jefferson Shreve · Last progress January 23, 2026
Requires States with approved title IV‑E plans to annually submit to the Children’s Bureau a list of private child placement (adoption) agencies that were licensed or accredited and in good standing with the State and exempt under 501(c)(3) as of the prior fiscal year. The Children’s Bureau must compile and publicly maintain a national list of State submissions and send Congress an annual report identifying listed agencies, State‑licensed agencies not on the list, and any State disciplinary actions; a State’s compliance with this reporting becomes a condition for certain federal incentive eligibility.