Current as of:
Legislation consists of bills introduced by legislative bodies to amend or enact laws. Legislation must become law to have any force or effect.
The following resources provide information about federal child welfare legislation:
- Index of Federal Child Welfare Laws - Since 1974, many laws have been passed by the U.S. Congress that impact children and families and the agencies that serve them. A list of selected laws is included in Major Federal Legislation Concerned With Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption , Federal Laws , and listed below.
- About CAPTA: A Legislative History - This document summarizes the legislative history and purpose of CAPTA, the key federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect.
This is a list of some child welfare-related laws. The Government Printing Office and Congress.gov provides access to the official public laws.
- P.L. 117-348 - Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 (Sec. 101, 133, 136 and 137)
- P.L. 117-347 - Abolish Trafficking Reauthorization Act of 2022 (Sec. 104)
- P.L. 116-260 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division X and Sec. 305 of Title III, Division CC)
- P.L. 116-94 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Sec. 602 of Subtitle F)
- P.L. 115-424 - Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018
- P.L. 115-271 - Substance Use—Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
- P.L. 115-196 - Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act
- P.L. 115-123 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (also Family First Prevention Services Act)
- P.L. 115-119 - Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2017 or RAISE Family Caregivers Act
- P.L. 114-198 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016
- P.L. 114-22 - Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015
- P.L. 113-183 - Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act
- P.L. 112-34 - Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act of 2011
- P.L. 111-320 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010
- P.L. 111-148 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- P.L. 110-351 - Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
- P.L. 109-432 - Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
- P.L. 109-288 - Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006
- P.L. 109-248 - Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
- P.L. 109-239 - Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006
- P.L. 109-171 - Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Title VII)
- P.L. 109-113 - Fair Access Foster Care Act of 2005
- P.L. 108-145 - Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
- P.L. 108-36 - Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
- P.L. 107-133 - Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
- P.L. 106-279 - Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000
- P.L. 106-177 - Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2000
- P.L. 106-169 - Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
- P.L. 105-89 - Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
- P.L. 104-235 - Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1996
- P.L. 104-193 — Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
- P.L. 104-188 - The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (Title I, subtitle H, sec. 1808 (referred to the “interethnic placement provisions”)
- P.L. 103-382 Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Part E, Subpart 1 the Howard M. Metzenbaum Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994, sec. 551 et sq.)
- P.L. 103-66 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
- P.L. 99-272 - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Sec. 12307)
- P.L. 96-272 The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
- P.L. 93-247 - An Act to provide financial assistance for a demonstration program for the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, to establish a National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, and for other purposes