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S 2299 98th Congress Senate

Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984

Official title: A bill entitled the "Anti-fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984".

Introduced: February 9, 1984 See on congress.gov
Families AdoptionChildren and youthCivil actions and liabilityCourts and Civil Procedure
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Crime preventionFraudTorts
This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 16, 1984
Subcommittee on Courts. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-998.
Feb 20, 1984
Committee on Judiciary. Committee jointly referred the bill to Subcommittee on Separation of Powers.
Feb 20, 1984
Committee on Judiciary. Committee jointly referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Courts.
Feb 20, 1984
Committee on Judiciary. Committee jointly referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Criminal Law.
Feb 9, 1984
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Feb 9, 1984
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 16, 1984

Subcommittee on Courts. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-998.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense for any person to knowingly make any false statement or conceal any material fact in connection with an adoption or with the placement of a child in a home for permanent free care. Makes it unlawful for any person to solicit or receive money for arranging for an adoption or for a placement for permanent free care. Provides for the following exceptions: (1) licensed agencies; (2) fees received for professional legal or medical services; and (3) if such person is the natural parent of a child or the prospective adoptive parent.

Provides for imprisonment for not more than five years and/or a fine of not more than $10,000.

Makes it a Federal offense for any person to use force or duress to cause any other individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce in connection with an adoption. Provides for imprisonment for not more than ten years or a fine of not more than $20,000.

Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) review model adoption legislation and procedures and propose necessary changes to insure against fraudulent practices; (2) coordinate with national, State and volunteer organizations to improve State adoption legislation; and (3) assist States in the development of improved procedures for controlling illegal adoption practices.

Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction to hear any civil action involving fraudulent adoption practices regardless of the amount in controversy.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2299: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-2299/
MLA
"S. 2299: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-2299/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2299, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-2299/.
Markdown link
[S. 2299: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-2299/)
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