Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2015
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (18 Jun 2015): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The bill, the Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2015, proposes the creation of a national registry to help identify possible fathers in adoption and child placement proceedings. It would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain this National Responsible Father Registry, which would store identifying information about men who register. The registry would also provide a way for men to register their information directly.
Access to the registry's information would be limited to specific authorized entities, such as adoption agencies, attorneys involved in adoption cases, state child placement agencies, and state courts. The Secretary would also be required to launch a nationwide campaign to inform potential fathers, unwed mothers, prospective adoptive parents, and eligible parties about the registry and its benefits. The bill also encourages states to establish their own registries and enter into agreements to share data with the national registry, authorizing federal grants to assist states in this process.
This bill was introduced in the Senate in 2015 and has not moved past its initial introduction. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and passed by the Senate, then sent to the House of Representatives for consideration, before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2015
Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services 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.
Timeline
18 Jun 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 1637 do?
- The bill, the Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2015, proposes the creation of a national registry to help identify possible fathers in adoption and child placement proceedings. It would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain this National Responsible Father Registry, which would store identifying information about men who register. The registry would also provide a way for men to register their information directly. Access to the registry's information would be limited to specific authorized entities, such as adoption agencies, attorneys involved in adoption cases, state child placement agencies, and state courts. The Secretary would also be required to launch a nationwide campaign to inform potential fathers, unwed mothers, prospective adoptive parents, and eligible parties about the registry and its benefits. The bill also encourages states to establish their own registries and enter into agreements to share data with the national registry, authorizing federal grants to assist states in this process. This bill was introduced in the Senate in 2015 and has not moved past its initial introduction. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and passed by the Senate, then sent to the House of Representatives for consideration, before it could become law.
- Has S. 1637 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1637. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1637?
- S. 1637 was sponsored by Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] (R-OK), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1637?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (18 Jun 2015).
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