John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act
This bill prohibits child welfare agencies receiving federal funding from discriminating against children, youth, or prospective foster and adoptive parents based on religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or marital status. It requires agencies to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity of children in foster care and their prospective parents, and establishes a National Resource Center to improve services for LGBTQ youth. The bill also provides a private right to sue for individuals who experience discrimination and mandates cultural competency training for agency staff. It affects all state child welfare systems receiving federal funds, requiring compliance within one year of enactment. The legislation specifically aims to address the overrepresentation of LGBTQ youth in foster care and improve outcomes for this population.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Nov 20, 2025
Last action Nov 20, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Nov 20, 2025
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Nov 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 29 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kirsten E. Gillibrand
DDemocratic
Co
Adam B. Schiff
DDemocratic
Co
Alex Padilla
DDemocratic
Co
Amy Klobuchar
DDemocratic
Co
Angela D. Alsobrooks
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Ray Luján
DDemocratic
Co
Bernard Sanders
IIndependent
Co
Brian Schatz
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Van Hollen
DDemocratic
Co
Christopher A. Coons
DDemocratic
Co
Christopher Murphy
DDemocratic
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