USC Subchapter II

USC Subchapter II
in effect

42 U.S.C. § 14921 Accreditation or approval required in order to provide adoption services in cases subject to the Convention

(a) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person may offer or provide adoption services in connection with a Convention adoption in the United States unless that person—(1) is accredited or approved in accordance with this subchapter; or (2) is providing such services through or under the supervision and responsibility of an accredited agency or approved person. (b) ExceptionsSubsection (a) shall not apply to the following:(1) Background studies and home studiesThe performance of a background study on a child or a home study on a prospective adoptive parent, or any report on any such study by a social work professional or organization who is not providing any other adoption service in the case, if the background or home study is approved by an accredited agency. (2) Child welfare servicesThe provision of a child welfare service by a person who is not providing any other adoption service in the case. (3) Legal servicesThe provision of legal services by a person who is not providing any adoption service in the case. (4) Prospective adoptive parents acting on own behalfThe conduct of a prospective adoptive parent on his or her own behalf in the case, to the extent not prohibited by the law of the State in which the prospective adoptive parent resides.

42 U.S.C. § 14922 Process for accreditation and approval; role of accrediting entities

(a) Designation of accrediting entities(1) In generalThe Secretary shall enter into agreements with one or more qualified entities under which such entities will perform the duties described in subsection (b) in accordance with the Convention, this subchapter, and the regulations prescribed under section 14923 of this title, and upon entering into each such agreement shall designate the qualified entity as an accrediting entity. (2) Qualified entitiesIn paragraph (1), the term “qualified entity” means—(A) a nonprofit private entity that has expertise in developing and administering standards for entities providing child welfare services and that meets such other criteria as the Secretary may by regulation establish; or (B) a public entity (other than a Federal entity), including an agency or instrumentality of State government having responsibility for licensing adoption agencies, that—(i) has expertise in developing and administering standards for entities providing child welfare services; (ii) accredits only agencies located in the State in which the public entity is located; and (iii) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may by regulation establish. (b) Duties of accrediting entitiesThe duties described in this subsection are the following:(1) Accreditation and approvalAccreditation of agencies, and approval of persons, to provide adoption services in the United States in cases subject to the Convention. (2) OversightOngoing monitoring of the compliance of accredited agencies and approved persons with applicable requirements, including review of complaints against such agencies and persons in accordance with procedures established by the accrediting entity and approved by the Secretary. (3) EnforcementTaking of adverse actions (including requiring corrective action, imposing sanctions, and refusing to renew, suspending, or canceling accreditation or approval) for noncompliance with applicable requirements, and notifying the agency or person against whom adverse actions are taken of the deficiencies necessitating the adverse action. (4) Data, records, and reportsCollection of data, maintenance of records, and reporting to the Secretary, the United States central authority, State courts, and other entities (including on persons and agencies granted or denied approval or accreditation), to the extent and in the manner that the Secretary requires. (5) Report on use of Federal fundingNot later than 90 days after an accrediting entity receives Federal funding authorized by section 14943 of this title, the entity shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that describes—(A) the amount of such funding the entity received; and (B) how such funding was, or will be, used by the entity. (c) Remedies for adverse action by accrediting entity(1) Correction of deficiencyAn agency or person who is the subject of an adverse action by an accrediting entity may re-apply for accreditation or approval (or petition for termination of the adverse action) on demonstrating to the satisfaction of the accrediting entity that the deficiencies necessitating the adverse action have been corrected. (2) No other administrative reviewAn adverse action by an accrediting entity shall not be subject to administrative review. (3) Judicial reviewAn agency or person who is the subject of an adverse action by an accrediting entity may petition the United States district court in the judicial district in which the agency is located or the person resides to set aside the adverse action. The court shall review the adverse action in accordance with section 706 of title 5, and for purposes of such review the accrediting entity shall be considered an agency within the meaning of section 701 of such title. (d) FeesThe amount of fees assessed by accrediting entities for the costs of accreditation shall be subject to approval by the Secretary. Such fees may not exceed the costs of accreditation. In reviewing the level of such fees, the Secretary shall consider the relative size of, the geographic location of, and the number of Convention adoption cases managed by the agencies or persons subject to accreditation or approval by the accrediting entity.

42 U.S.C. § 14923 Standards and procedures for providing accreditation or approval

(a) In general(1) Promulgation of regulationsThe Secretary, shall, by regulation, prescribe the standards and procedures to be used by accrediting entities for the accreditation of agencies and the approval of persons to provide adoption services in the United States in cases subject to the Convention. (2) Consideration of viewsIn developing such regulations, the Secretary shall consider any standards or procedures developed or proposed by, and the views of, individuals and entities with interest and expertise in international adoptions and family social services, including public and private entities with experience in licensing and accrediting adoption agencies. (3) Applicability of notice and comment rulesSubsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 553 of title 5 shall apply in the development and issuance of regulations under this section. (b) Minimum requirements(1) AccreditationThe standards prescribed under subsection (a) shall include the requirement that accreditation of an agency may not be provided or continued under this subchapter unless the agency meets the following requirements:(A) Specific requirements(i) The agency provides prospective adoptive parents of a child in a prospective Convention adoption a copy of the medical records of the child (which, to the fullest extent practicable, shall include an English-language translation of such records) on a date which is not later than the earlier of the date that is 2 weeks before: (I) the adoption; or (II) the date on which the prospective parents travel to a foreign country to complete all procedures in such country relating to the adoption. (ii) The agency ensures that a thorough background report (home study) on the prospective adoptive parent or parents has been completed in accordance with the Convention and with applicable Federal and State requirements and transmitted to the Attorney General with respect to each Convention adoption. Each such report shall include a criminal background check and a full and complete statement of all facts relevant to the eligibility of the prospective adopting parent or parents to adopt a child under any requirements specified by the central authority of the child’s country of origin under section 14912(b)(3) of this title, including, in the case of a child emigrating to the United States for the purpose of adoption, the requirements of the child’s country of origin applicable to adoptions taking place in such country. For purposes of this clause, the term “background report (home study)” includes any supplemental statement submitted by the agency to the Attorney General for the purpose of providing information relevant to any requirements specified by the child’s country of origin. (iii) The agency provides prospective adoptive parents with a training program that includes counseling and guidance for the purpose of promoting a successful intercountry adoption before such parents travel to adopt the child or the child is placed with such parents for adoption. (iv) The agency employs personnel providing intercountry adoption services on a fee for service basis rather than on a contingent fee basis. (v) The agency discloses fully its policies and practices, the disruption rates of its placements for intercountry adoption, and all fees charged by such agency for intercountry adoption. (B) Capacity to provide adoption servicesThe agency has, directly or through arrangements with other persons, a sufficient number of appropriately trained and qualified personnel, sufficient financial resources, appropriate organizational structure, and appropriate procedures to enable the agency to provide, in accordance with this chapter, all adoption services in cases subject to the Convention. (C) Use of social service professionalsThe agency has established procedures designed to ensure that social service functions requiring the application of clinical skills and judgment are performed only by professionals with appropriate qualifications and credentials. (D) Records, reports, and information mattersThe agency is capable of—(i) maintaining such records and making such reports as may be required by the Secretary, the United States central authority, and the accrediting entity that accredits the agency; (ii) cooperating with reviews, inspections, and audits; (iii) safeguarding sensitive individual information; and (iv) complying with other requirements concerning information management necessary to ensure compliance with the Convention, this chapter, and any other applicable law. (E) Liability insuranceThe agency agrees to have in force adequate liability insurance for professional negligence and any other insurance that the Secretary considers appropriate. (F) Compliance with applicable rulesThe agency has established adequate measures to comply (and to ensure compliance of their agents and clients) with the Convention, this chapter, and any other applicable law. (G) Nonprofit organization with state license to provide adoption servicesThe agency is a private nonprofit organization licensed to provide adoption services in at least one State. (2) ApprovalThe standards prescribed under subsection (a) shall include the requirement that a person shall not be approved under this subchapter unless the person is a private for-profit entity that meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1) of this subsection. (3) Renewal of accreditation or approvalThe standards prescribed under subsection (a) shall provide that the accreditation of an agency or approval of a person under this subchapter shall be for a period of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years, and may be renewed on a showing that the agency or person meets the requirements applicable to original accreditation or approval under this subchapter. (c) Temporary registration of community based agencies(1) One-year registration period for medium community based agenciesFor a 1-year period after the entry into force of the Convention and notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary may provide, in regulations issued pursuant to subsection (a), that an agency may register with the Secretary and be accredited to provide adoption services in the United States in cases subject to the Convention during such period if the agency has provided adoption services in fewer than 100 intercountry adoptions in the preceding calendar year and meets the criteria described in paragraph (3). (2) Two-year registration period for small community-based agenciesFor a 2-year period after the entry into force of the Convention and notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary may provide, in regulations issued pursuant to subsection (a), that an agency may register with the Secretary and be accredited to provide adoption services in the United States in cases subject to the Convention during such period if the agency has provided adoption services in fewer than 50 intercountry adoptions in the preceding calendar year and meets the criteria described in paragraph (3). (3) Criteria for registrationAgencies registered under this subsection shall meet the following criteria:(A) The agency is licensed in the State in which it is located and is a nonprofit agency. (B) The agency has been providing adoption services in connection with intercountry adoptions for at least 3 years. (C) The agency has demonstrated that it will be able to provide the United States Government with all information related to the elements described in section 14914(b) of this title and provides such information. (D) The agency has initiated the process of becoming accredited under the provisions of this chapter and is actively taking steps to become an accredited agency. (E) The agency has not been found to be involved in any improper conduct relating to intercountry adoptions.

42 U.S.C. § 14924 Secretarial oversight of accreditation and approval

(a) Oversight of accrediting entitiesThe Secretary shall—(1) monitor the performance by each accrediting entity of its duties under section 14922 of this title and its compliance with the requirements of the Convention, this chapter, other applicable laws, and implementing regulations under this chapter; and (2) suspend or cancel the designation of an accrediting entity found to be substantially out of compliance with the Convention, this chapter, other applicable laws, or implementing regulations under this chapter. (b) Suspension or cancellation of accreditation or approval(1) Secretary’s authorityThe Secretary shall suspend or cancel the accreditation or approval granted by an accrediting entity to an agency or person pursuant to section 14922 of this title when the Secretary finds that—(A) the agency or person is substantially out of compliance with applicable requirements; and (B) the accrediting entity has failed or refused, after consultation with the Secretary, to take appropriate enforcement action. (2) Correction of deficiencyAt any time when the Secretary is satisfied that the deficiencies on the basis of which an adverse action is taken under paragraph (1) have been corrected, the Secretary shall—(A) notify the accrediting entity that the deficiencies have been corrected; and (B)(i) in the case of a suspension, terminate the suspension; or (ii) in the case of a cancellation, notify the agency or person that the agency or person may re-apply to the accrediting entity for accreditation or approval. (c) Debarment(1) Secretary’s authorityOn the initiative of the Secretary, or on request of an accrediting entity, the Secretary may temporarily or permanently debar an agency from accreditation or a person from approval under this subchapter, but only if—(A) there is substantial evidence that the agency or person is out of compliance with applicable requirements; and (B) there has been a pattern of serious, willful, or grossly negligent failures to comply or other aggravating circumstances indicating that continued accreditation or approval would not be in the best interests of the children and families concerned. (2) Period of debarmentThe Secretary’s debarment order shall state whether the debarment is temporary or permanent. If the debarment is temporary, the Secretary shall specify a date, not earlier than 3 years after the date of the order, on or after which the agency or person may apply to the Secretary for withdrawal of the debarment. (3) Effect of debarmentAn accrediting entity may take into account the circumstances of the debarment of an agency or person that has been debarred pursuant to this subsection in considering any subsequent application of the agency or person, or of any other entity in which the agency or person has an ownership or control interest, for accreditation or approval under this subchapter. (d) Judicial reviewA person (other than a prospective adoptive parent), an agency, or an accrediting entity who is the subject of a final action of suspension, cancellation, or debarment by the Secretary under this subchapter may petition the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the United States district court in the judicial district in which the person resides or the agency or accrediting entity is located to set aside the action. The court shall review the action in accordance with section 706 of title 5. (e) Failure to ensure a full and complete home study(1) In generalWillful, grossly negligent, or repeated failure to ensure the completion and transmission of a background report (home study) that fully complies with the requirements of section 14923(b)(1)(A)(ii) of this title shall constitute substantial noncompliance with applicable requirements. (2) RegulationsRegulations promulgated under section 14923 of this title shall provide for—(A) frequent and careful monitoring of compliance by agencies and approved persons with the requirements of section 14923(b)(A)(ii) 11 So in original. Probably should be section “14923(b)(1)(A)(ii)”. of this title; and (B) consultation between the Secretary and the accrediting entity where an agency or person has engaged in substantial noncompliance with the requirements of section 14923(b)(A)(ii) 1 of this title, unless the accrediting entity has taken appropriate corrective action and the noncompliance has not recurred. (3) Repeated failures to complyRepeated serious, willful, or grossly negligent failures to comply with the requirements of section 14923(b)(1)(A)(ii) of this title by an agency or person after consultation between Secretary and the accrediting entity with respect to previous noncompliance by such agency or person shall constitute a pattern of serious, willful, or grossly negligent failures to comply under subsection (c)(1)(B). (4) Failure to comply with certain requirementsA failure to comply with the requirements of section 14923(b)(1)(A)(ii) of this title shall constitute a serious failure to comply under subsection (c)(1)(B) unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that such noncompliance had neither the purpose nor the effect of determining the outcome of a decision or proceeding by a court or other competent authority in the United States or the child’s country of origin.

42 U.S.C. § 14925 Universal accreditation requirements

(a) In generalThe provisions of title II and section 404 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14901 et seq.[, 42 U.S.C. 14944]), and related implementing regulations, shall apply to any person offering or providing adoption services in connection with a child described in section 1101(b)(1)(F) of title 8, to the same extent as they apply to the offering or provision of adoption services in connection with a Convention adoption. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General (with respect to section 404(b) of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14944[(b)])), and the accrediting entities shall have the duties, responsibilities, and authorities under title II and title IV of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 14921 et seq., 14941 et seq.] and related implementing regulations with respect to a person offering or providing such adoption services, irrespective of whether such services are offered or provided in connection with a Convention adoption. (b) Effective dateThe provisions of this section shall take effect 18 months after January 14, 2013. (c) Transition ruleThis Act shall not apply to a person offering or providing adoption services as described in subsection (a) in the case of a prospective adoption in which—(1) an application for advance processing of an orphan petition or petition to classify an orphan as an immediate relative for a child is filed before the date that is 180 days after January 14, 2013; or (2) the prospective adoptive parents of a child have initiated the adoption process with the filing of an appropriate application in a foreign country sufficient such that the Secretary of State is satisfied before the date that is 180 days after January 14, 2013.

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