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S 1048 99th Congress Senate

Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend title 18 of the United States Code and the Adoption Reform Act.

Introduced: May 1, 1985 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement AdoptionChildren and youthCivil actions and liabilityCourts and Civil Procedure
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime preventionDistrict courtsFamiliesFraudGovernment paperworkGovernment records, documents, and informationJurisdictionState lawsStatesTorts
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 14, 1986
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.
Jul 10, 1985
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Health and Human Services Department.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Referred jointly to the Subcommittee on Criminal Law.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Referred jointly to the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice.
May 1, 1985
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
May 1, 1985
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action April 14, 1986

Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense for any person to knowingly make any false statement or use any false document or conceal any material fact in connection with any interstate or foreign adoption. Makes it unlawful, except in specified circumstances, for any person to solicit or receive money for arranging for an adoption.

Provides for imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.

Makes it a Federal offense for any person to use force or threats to cause any other individual to travel in foreign commerce in connection with an adoption or placement of a child in a home for permanent free care. Provides for imprisonment for not more than ten years and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.

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.

Imposes a deadline of January 1, 1987, for the Secretary to establish a national adoption data-gathering and analysis system.

Provides that the Secretary's study of unlicensed or unregulated adoption placements shall be ongoing and that the Secretary shall issue biannual reports on the findings of the study.

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

Authorizes the Attorney General to institute proceedings to prevent and restrain violations of this Act.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1048: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1048/
MLA
"S. 1048: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1048/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1048, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1048/.
Markdown link
[S. 1048: Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-1048/)
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