Caucus Collaborates On Policy Dinner Focusing On Underground Adoptions
Dec 10, 2019
Underground adoptions take place when legal adoptions are disrupted, which can lead to tragic consequences such as children being trafficked in the hands of pedophiles.
Monday's event, which was hosted by the National Foster Youth Institute, featured a panel of experts who will discussed the dangerous phenomenon and how Congress can help prevent it.
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-Rhode Island) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) have introduced legislation to combat unregulated custody transfers (UCT) of adopted children to strangers, a dangerous practice known as “rehoming”. The Safe Home Act would close a loophole in federal law by clearly establishing that UCT is child abuse.
“Unregulated custody transfers jeopardize the well-being and safety of adopted children,” said Congressman Langevin. “Child protective services need clear guidance to ensure they can protect children subject to re-homing and to hold those who put them at risk accountable. The Safe Home Act will do just that by updating federal law to put an end to this disturbing practice.”
“The Safe Home Act will provide needed protections for vulnerable children at risk and prevent the rehoming of adopted children,” said Congressman Bacon. “Our kids deserve safety, warmth, and stability and I look forward to working with Congressman Langevin to get this bill passed.”
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes participated in the evening's pannel and said this about the bill:
“I am so grateful our federal partners are taking action on this critical issue. Utah is proud to have passed the first state law criminalizing UCT, a growing threat to our children. We are honored the bill sponsors Rep. Langevin and Rep. Bacon build on this work to further protect vulnerable children, assist families who adopt and combat human trafficking nationwide.”
The panel also included Kathryn Larin, Director of GAO’s Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, and Debbie Riley, Co-founder and CEO of the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.).