Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and Adoption Reform Act of 1978

P.L. 95-266

Enacted 1974; amended 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2003

For a summary of the Act visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d095:HR06693:@@@L|TOM:/bss/d095query.html|

Reasons Bill Initiated

* CAPTA needed reauthorization.
* Original CAPTA did not cover adoption issues.

Objectives/Goals

* To reauthorize CAPTA.
* To promote the enactment of comprehensive adoption assistance legislation in each State.
* To continue funding grant programs for research.
* To provide new grants for improving adoption of children with special needs.

Services Provided/Measures Taken

* Established Adoption Opportunities Program:
                     - Facilitate placement of children with special needs in permanent adoptive homes.
                     - Promote quality standards for adoptive placement and the rights of adopted children.
                     - Provide for national adoption information exchange system.
* Provided for annual summaries of research on child abuse and neglect.

Credits: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information