HR7236-119

What This Bill Does

The In Good Standing Adoption Agencies Act of 2026 adds a national list of licensed child placement agencies to Social Security Act section 474. Each State with an approved title IV-E plan must submit by January 1 of each fiscal year a list of private child placement agencies that, at the end of the preceding fiscal year, were licensed or accredited by the State, in good standing, and tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). Child placement agency means an agency that places children in prospective adoptive homes. The HHS Secretary, through the U.S. Children's Bureau, must compile and maintain a public national list using the most recent State submissions. Beginning by the second December 31 after enactment and annually thereafter, the Secretary must report to Congress with the maintained list, identify any State-licensed child placement agency not on the list, and specify disciplinary actions States have taken against private child placement agencies. The bill also adds State compliance with the section 474(h)(1) reporting duty as a condition for adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments under section 473A.

Who Benefits and How

Prospective adoptive parents, children awaiting adoption, licensed nonprofit child placement agencies in good standing, adoption advocates, the U.S. Children's Bureau, and congressional overseers benefit from a public national list that identifies State-approved agencies and reveals missing agencies or disciplinary actions. In-good-standing nonprofit agencies may benefit from public visibility and recognition.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State child welfare agencies, private child placement agencies, the U.S. Children's Bureau, HHS reporting staff, and agencies subject to disciplinary action face annual reporting, status verification, list maintenance, public disclosure, congressional reporting, and incentive-payment compliance burdens. States that fail to submit the required list risk adoption and legal guardianship incentive consequences.

Key Provisions

• Requires States with approved title IV-E plans to submit annual lists of private nonprofit child placement agencies in good standing.
• Defines child placement agencies as agencies that place children in prospective adoptive homes.
• Directs the U.S. Children's Bureau to compile and maintain a public national list from State submissions.
• Requires annual congressional reports with the national list, missing licensed agencies, and State disciplinary actions.
• Conditions State adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments on compliance with the reporting requirement.