H.R. 6170: ADOPT Act of 2025
Sponsor
Robert Aderholt
Republican · AL-4
Private adoption middlemen face federal criminal penalties
Why it matters
Up to 5 years in prison, a $50,000 fine for individuals, and a $100,000 fine for organizations — that's the penalty H.R. 6170 would attach to some paid interstate adoption matching and advertising. The bill also blocks payments above $2,500 to or for a placing parent before that parent consults a licensed agency or attorney. If it passes, private adoption would move more decisively toward licensed gatekeepers.
Right now, families pursuing private domestic adoptions can encounter online ads, paid facilitators, and other intermediaries that are not always licensed the way adoption agencies are. H.R. 6170 says Congress wants those deals pushed back into regulated channels.
The bill creates a new federal crime for knowingly providing paid adoption matching services in interstate cases unless you fall into an exception, such as a public agency, a licensed private agency, certain nonprofit contractors, a licensed attorney, or an approved intercountry provider. It also generally bans paid adoption ads used to connect placing parents and prospective adoptive parents unless the advertiser fits one of those exceptions.
The practical change is that a private adoption facilitator who charges to make matches online could face federal prosecution, while licensed agencies and licensed attorneys keep operating.
The bill also targets early payments. If someone gives more than $2,500 in money, property, services, medical care, or similar support to or for a placing parent before that parent has consulted a licensed agency or attorney in their state, that could also trigger criminal penalties unless an exception applies.
Because the bill is tied to interstate activity, it reaches conduct involving travel, phone calls, internet communications, electronic payments, and other interstate commerce tools. For families, that means an adoption arranged through websites, calls, and cross-state payments could face federal rules even if it started as a private agreement.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Nov 20, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
H.R. 6170 Bill Summary
What H.R. 6170 actually does.
Paid adoption matching can become a federal crime
H.R. 6170 would criminalize paid services that connect placing parents with prospective adoptive parents in interstate cases, unless the provider is within a listed exception such as a licensed agency or licensed attorney.
Most paid adoption ads would be off-limits
The bill generally bars paid advertising used to solicit birth parents or adoptive parents for private interstate adoption matching, unless the ad comes from an exempt provider.
Early payments over $2,500 get restricted
The bill prohibits giving more than $2,500 in money, property, services, medical care, or other support to or for a placing parent before that parent consults a licensed agency or attorney in their state, unless an exception applies.
Licensed agencies and attorneys keep a legal lane
Public agencies, licensed private child-placing agencies, certain nonprofit contractors, licensed attorneys, and some approved intercountry providers are carved out of the main prohibitions.
Violations carry prison time and large fines
An individual could face up to 5 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine per violation. An organization could face up to a $100,000 fine per violation.
Who benefits from H.R. 6170?
Birth parents approached by paid facilitators
If Congress is right that unlicensed intermediaries create exploitation risks, these parents would get more required contact with licensed agencies or attorneys before larger payments can flow.
Adoptive families looking for regulated providers
Families who want clearer rules and more accountability would see interstate private adoption pushed toward licensed agencies and licensed attorneys instead of less-regulated middlemen.
Licensed adoption agencies and licensed attorneys
These providers would keep a legal pathway to offer matching, advertising, and related services while many paid independent facilitators would not.
Who is affected by H.R. 6170?
Independent adoption facilitators and online matching businesses
These businesses face the biggest disruption. If they charge to connect parties in private interstate adoptions and do not fit an exception, their model could become a federal crime.
Prospective adoptive parents using private interstate arrangements
You could have fewer private matching options outside agencies and attorneys, especially if your search relies on paid internet ads or facilitators.
People providing financial support early in an adoption process
Anyone paying more than $2,500 to or for a placing parent before licensed consultation would need to change course or risk criminal exposure.
HR6170 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Nov 20, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Robert Aderholt
Republican, Alabama's 4th congressional district · 29 years in Congress
Committees: Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (17)
This bill has 17 cosponsors: 8 Democrats, 9 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 13 states: Arizona, California, Florida, and 10 more.
Danny Davis
Democrat · IL
Laurel Lee
Republican · FL
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Democrat · CA
Eugene Vindman
Democrat · VA
Mike Kelly
Republican · PA
Diana Harshbarger
Republican · TN
Jefferson Shreve
Republican · IN
David Schweikert
Republican · AZ
Adam Smith
Democrat · WA
Angie Craig
Democrat · MN
Don Bacon
Republican · NE
Wesley Hunt
Republican · TX
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
3 of 44 committee members cosponsored
22 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 6170 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Nov 20, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 20, 2025
H.R. 6170 Common Questions
What does H.R. 6170 actually ban?
It would ban many paid interstate adoption matching services and paid adoption ads unless they come from licensed agencies, licensed attorneys, or other exempt providers.
Would online adoption ads become illegal?
Often, yes. H.R. 6170 generally blocks paid ads used to connect birth parents and adoptive parents across state lines unless the ad is placed by an exempt provider.
Can a private adoption facilitator still charge a fee?
Not if the facilitator falls outside the bill's exceptions. Paid matching in interstate adoptions could become a federal crime for unlicensed middlemen.
What is the $2,500 rule in H.R. 6170?
The bill would bar payments over $2,500 to or for a placing parent before that parent consults a licensed agency or licensed attorney in their state, unless an exception applies.
What are the penalties under H.R. 6170?
An individual could face up to 5 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine per violation. An organization could be fined up to $100,000 per violation.
Are adoption agencies and attorneys exempt?
Yes, in many cases. The bill carves out public agencies, licensed private agencies, certain nonprofit contractors, licensed attorneys, and some approved intercountry providers.
Does this only apply if people cross state lines?
Mostly yes. H.R. 6170 is aimed at interstate cases, including travel, calls, internet communications, and payments that move through interstate commerce.
When would H.R. 6170 take effect?
If enacted, it would take effect 120 days later.
Based on H.R. 6170 bill text
H.R. 6170 Bill Text
“To amend title 18, United States Code, to criminalize unlawful adoption practices.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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