Landrieu Celebrates Passage of Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act, Adoption Day/Month Resolution
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Co-Chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, today announced the Senate passed unanimously both the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act and a resolution expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month.
"I am proud that so many of my colleagues recognize the great importance of the issues surrounding adoption and foster care both domestically and internationally. Over the past 15 years we have succeeded in increasing the number of children adopted domestically. This resolution continues our critical work to raise awareness and find forever families for children not just in the United States, but around the globe," Sen. Landrieu said. "The universal accreditation requirement will help ensure the highest possible quality of service for U.S. families seeking to adopt internationally."
In June of this year, Sen. Landrieu joined with Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Dick Lugar, R-Ind., and James Inhofe, R-Okla., to introduce the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act, to elevate and standardize the requirements placed on U.S. adoption service providers (ASPs). The Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 will for the first time universalize the accreditation process for all ASPs operating in the United States. The legislation requires that all ASPs, whether working on adoptions from countries that are party to the Hague Adoption Convention or not, to comply with the accreditation requirements in place for ASPs working with Hague countries.
Additionally, Sens. Landrieu and Inhofe passed another adoption item on the Senate floor this week-S.Res.595-expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families in adoption and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency and well-being for all children. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Sens. Landrieu and Inhofe introduced this resolution in November during National Adoption Month.
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