Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994

P.L. 103-382, Title V, Part E

A growing number of children in foster care were waiting for adoptive homes for excessive periods of time.
Minority children were over-represented in out-of-home care.

To decrease the time children wait to be adopted.
To prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color and/or national origin when making foster care and adoptive placements.
To facilitate identification and recruitment of foster and adoptive families that can meet children's needs.

Prohibited State agencies and other entities that receive Federal funding and were involved in foster care or adoption placements from delaying, denying or otherwise discriminating when making a foster care or adoption placement decision on the basis of the parent or child's race, color or national origin.
Prohibited State agencies and other entities that received Federal funds and were involved in foster care or adoption placements from categorically denying any person the opportunity become a foster or adoptive parent solely on the basis of race, color or national origin of the parent or the child.
Required States to develop plans for recruitment of foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in the State for whom families are needed.
Allowed an agency or entity to consider the cultural, ethnic, or racial background of a child and the capacity of an adoptive or foster parent to meet the needs of a child with that background when making a placement.
Had no effect on the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
Made failure to comply with MEPA a violation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Credits: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information