WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) in introducing legislation to make certain family planning services and programs effectively promote information about adoption. The Adoption Information Act (S.1539) would require federal grant recipients to provide assurances to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding their plan to issue adoption promotion literature.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a permanent and loving family,” Sen. Moran said. “Individuals using federal family planning programs should be educated about adoption to ensure they’re making fully informed decisions. The Adoption Information Act makes certain adoption is promoted as a viable option.”

Specifically, the legislation would require family service project or program grant recipients to:

• Provide each person served by the project or program a pamphlet containing a list of all the adoption centers in the state, along with contact information, at the time that person inquires about family planning services;
• Verbally inform each person that the pamphlet was provided by HHS and contains a list of adoption centers located in the state; and
• Provide clients with an opportunity to read the pamphlet.

Under this bill, HHS is required to prepare, distribute and update annually the pamphlets provided to individuals and families. Additionally, the bill makes clear HHS can only use previously appropriated funds to carry out these requirements.

In 2007, there were just 18,078 infant adoptions in the United States, a rate of 4.2 domestic infant adoptions per 1,000 live births, according to the National Council for Adoption.

Last month, Congressman Robert Wittman (R-Va.) introduced similar legislation (HR.3062), which is awaiting action in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

The Adoption Information Act is supported by the National Council for Adoption.

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