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HR 1681 112th Congress House

Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Official title: To prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on the sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status of any prospective adoptiv… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on the sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status of any prospective adoptive or foster parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child involved.

Introduced: May 3, 2011 See on congress.gov
Families Adoption and foster careCongressional oversightMarriage and family statusSex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 3, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
May 3, 2011
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E787)
May 3, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 3, 2011

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Every Child Deserves a Family Act - Prohibits an entity that receives federal assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care placements from discriminating against prospective adoptive or foster parents solely on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status or on the basis of the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child involved.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in order to ensure compliance with, and ensure understanding of the legal, practice, and culture changes required by this Act in making foster care and adoption placement decisions, to provide specified technical assistance to all entities covered by this Act.

Requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of whether states have substantially complied with this Act in eliminating policies, practices, or statutes that deny adoption rights on the basis of these criteria.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1770 Related bill Every Child Deserves a Family Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 63
All 63 Democratic 37
CROWLEY, JOSEPH
· Jul 17, 2012
KUCINICH, DENNIS
· Jun 20, 2012
Carnahan, Russ
· Jun 6, 2012
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Jun 5, 2012
Cardoza, Dennis
· Apr 16, 2012
SLAUGHTER, LOUISE
· Apr 16, 2012
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Mar 19, 2012
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Mar 9, 2012
 D
Keating, William R.
Massachusetts · Mar 9, 2012
 D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Mar 6, 2012
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Feb 17, 2012
Hanabusa, Colleen
· Dec 23, 2011
Miller, Brad
· Dec 16, 2011
BACA, JOE
· Dec 13, 2011
 D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Nov 30, 2011
 D
Heinrich, Martin
New Mexico · Nov 4, 2011
 D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
Georgia · Nov 1, 2011
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Nov 1, 2011
 D
Smith, Adam
Washington · Nov 1, 2011
 D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Nov 1, 2011
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Oct 26, 2011
 D
Himes, James A.
Connecticut · Oct 12, 2011
 D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Oct 4, 2011
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Oct 4, 2011
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Sep 13, 2011
CAPUANO, MICHAEL
· Sep 12, 2011
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Sep 12, 2011
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Sep 12, 2011
BRADY, ROBERT
· Aug 30, 2011
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jul 25, 2011
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jun 16, 2011
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · May 31, 2011
ROS-LEHTINEN, ILEANA
· May 26, 2011
BERMAN, HOWARD
· May 24, 2011
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · May 23, 2011
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · May 13, 2011
ACKERMAN, GARY
· May 11, 2011
WOOLSEY, LYNN
· May 11, 2011
FRANK, BARNEY
· May 10, 2011
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · May 10, 2011
 D
Tonko, Paul
New York · May 10, 2011
Sutton, Betty
· May 5, 2011
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · May 4, 2011
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 3, 2011
BERKLEY, SHELLEY
· May 3, 2011
 D
Chu, Judy
California · May 3, 2011
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · May 3, 2011
GUTIERREZ, LUIS
· May 3, 2011
HINCHEY, MAURICE
· May 3, 2011
 D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · May 3, 2011
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1681: Every Child Deserves a Family Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1681/
MLA
"H.R. 1681: Every Child Deserves a Family Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1681/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1681, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1681/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1681: Every Child Deserves a Family Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1681/)
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