S. 162Passed one chamberFamily & community
States would face new data rules to recruit foster, adoptive families
Data as of July 14, 2026
States must plan, track, and report data on recruiting foster and adoptive families starting October 2026.35-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
The bill requires every state to create a "family partnership plan" identifying relatives as caregivers, building per-child recruitment plans, involving youth, and using data to track progress. States must also form foster family advisory boards and regularly report data on licensed families, unused families, group home placements, and why placements fail or families stop fostering, including racial and ethnic recruitment gaps.
Who does it affect?
This affects state child welfare agencies, foster and adoptive families, birth and kinship families, and children in foster care.
Why does it matter?
States gain new planning, data-collection, and reporting obligations, with some timing flexibility if state legislation is needed to comply.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- House — You are here
- President's desk
Right now: it passed the Senate and now goes to the House. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the President.
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Official title
Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025
- Introduced:
- January 21, 2025
- Latest action:
- June 15, 2026
Held at the desk.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.