Summary

Creates a new statutory definition of “unregulated custody transfer,” directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve public awareness and provide technical assistance related to such transfers, and requires HHS (in consultation with the Secretary of State) to deliver a report to specified congressional committees within two years describing causes, prevalence by State, effects, and recommended policy and practice changes. Also renames an existing statutory section to accommodate the new insertion and establishes the Act’s short title. No new funding is specified; the changes focus on education, coordination, and reporting to help states, Tribes, local agencies, and prospective adoptive families recognize and reduce risks from custody transfers that occur outside regulated child welfare procedures.

Key Points

• Defines “unregulated custody transfer” in federal statute with inclusion and exclusion criteria, including a safe-haven carve-out.
• Directs HHS to expand public awareness and update federal resources to educate child welfare staff and prospective adoptive families about unregulated custody transfers.
• Requires HHS to provide technical assistance to States, Tribes, and local jurisdictions on these issues.
• Mandates a report to Congress within two years detailing causes, prevalence by State, effects, and recommended policy and practice changes.
• Redesignates the prior statutory section to accommodate the new section and updates an internal cross-reference.
• Focuses on outreach, coordination, and information rather than establishing new programs or explicit funding.
• Targets risks to adopted and intercountry-adopted children but applies broadly to custody transfers occurring outside regulated child welfare processes.
• Requires consultation with the Secretary of State for the congressional report, reflecting international adoption concerns.
• No specific enforcement mechanism or penalties are created in the text provided—measures are primarily informational and advisory.
• Implementation will rely on HHS capacity and interagency coordination; States, Tribes, and local agencies are likely to be primary users of the materials and assistance.

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