Rep. Aderholt Introduces the ADOPT Act to Criminalize Unlicensed Adoption Services
The ADOPT Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced and sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is still waiting to be discussed by the committee.
People who currently operate as unlicensed adoption facilitators or intermediaries would face serious federal criminal penalties under this bill. Individuals could be fined $50,000 and imprisoned for up to 5 years per violation. Organizations acting as unlicensed intermediaries could face $100,000 fines per violation. This creates a new category of federal crime that did not previously exist.
“in the case of an individual, shall be fined $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both per violation”
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Representative Robert Aderholt introduced the Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act to protect families from unlicensed intermediaries. The bill requires adoption providers to be licensed in the states where they operate to prevent the 'commodification of children.'
The bipartisan ADOPT Act aims to fight exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries, often called 'baby brokers.' The bill would limit adoption professionals to running paid advertisements only in states where they hold a license and ensure payments to birth mothers are properly regulated.
Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Robert Aderholt introduced legislation to prohibit unlicensed adoption advertising and restrict payments to expectant mothers unless made through a licensed provider. The bill is intended to protect families from predatory intermediaries during the adoption process.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ADOPT Act of 2025
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