Protecting Adoption Act
Latest action (20 Nov 2013): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 3549, the Protecting Adoption Act, would amend the Social Security Act to create a National Responsible Father Registry within the Department of Health and Human Services. Men who believe they may have fathered a child could register identifying information directly with the national registry or, in participating states, through a State Responsible Father Registry, which would forward the data to the federal system. Eligible parties—adoption agencies, attorneys, state placement agencies, and courts—could search the registry to locate possible fathers before finalizing adoptions, terminating parental rights, or placing children in state custody. The bill also sets rules for data entry, retention (at least 20 years), verification, penalties for false submissions, and privacy protections, and directs a national education campaign about the registry.
The bill primarily affects unwed mothers, men who may have fathered a child outside marriage, adoption agencies and attorneys, prospective adoptive parents, and state governments. It aims to speed adoption proceedings, protect mothers' privacy, and give possible fathers a mechanism to assert or waive parental rights. States would not be required to participate but would be encouraged to enter agreements with HHS and could receive grants for compliance.
The bill was introduced in the House on November 20, 2013, by Rep. Vicky Hartzler and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not become law before the end of the 113th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protecting Adoption Act - Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and maintain an automated National Responsible Father Registry.
Requires the Registry to: (1) contain specified kinds of information sufficient to identify a possible father, and (2) provide a mechanism for men to register such identifying information directly with the Registry.
Limits access to Registry information to eligible parties, including: (1) public and licensed private adoption or child placement agencies, (2) licensed attorneys representing a party in a planned or pending adoption or in the termination of rights of one or more possible fathers, (3) state agencies or entities responsible for the placement of children, and (4) state courts.
Directs the Secretary to establish a nationwide campaign designed to inform possible fathers, unwed mothers, possible adoptive parents, and eligible parties of the National Registry, the advantages of possible fathers registering either in the National Registry or State Responsible Father Registries, or both, the rights and responsibilities of such parties with regard to a proceeding, and the role of such Registries in a proceeding.
Directs the Secretary to use all reasonable efforts to encourage states to enter into agreements to establish automated State Responsible Father Registries and centers that make registration forms easily accessible to possible fathers.
Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a state to establish a State Registry or modify an existing one to meet the requirements of this Act.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3549 do?
- H.R. 3549, the Protecting Adoption Act, would amend the Social Security Act to create a National Responsible Father Registry within the Department of Health and Human Services. Men who believe they may have fathered a child could register identifying information directly with the national registry or, in participating states, through a State Responsible Father Registry, which would forward the data to the federal system. Eligible parties—adoption agencies, attorneys, state placement agencies, and courts—could search the registry to locate possible fathers before finalizing adoptions, terminating parental rights, or placing children in state custody. The bill also sets rules for data entry, retention (at least 20 years), verification, penalties for false submissions, and privacy protections, and directs a national education campaign about the registry. The bill primarily affects unwed mothers, men who may have fathered a child outside marriage, adoption agencies and attorneys, prospective adoptive parents, and state governments. It aims to speed adoption proceedings, protect mothers' privacy, and give possible fathers a mechanism to assert or waive parental rights. States would not be required to participate but would be encouraged to enter agreements with HHS and could receive grants for compliance. The bill was introduced in the House on November 20, 2013, by Rep. Vicky Hartzler and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not become law before the end of the 113th Congress.
- Has H.R. 3549 become law?
- Not yet. As of 20 Nov 2013, H.R. 3549 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3549?
- H.R. 3549 was sponsored by Rep. Vicky Hartzler [R-MO4, 2011-2022] (Republican-MO), with 15 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3549?
- Introduced (20 Nov 2013).
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