ADOPT Act of 2025

The ADOPT Act of 2025 creates federal criminal penalties for unlicensed individuals or entities providing adoption intermediary services (like connecting birth parents with adoptive parents for profit) or placing paid "adoption advertisements" that solicit parties for placement. It prohibits payments exceeding $2,500 to birth parents before consulting a licensed agency or attorney, aiming to prevent exploitation and the commodification of children in private domestic adoptions. The law directly affects unlicensed intermediaries and commercial facilitators, while exempting licensed adoption agencies, attorneys, 501(c)(3) organizations under contract with them, and intercountry adoption programs. Violations carry fines up to $50,000 or 5 years in prison for individuals, and $100,000 for organizations per offense.