A bipartisan coalition of U.S. Senators has introduced new legislation aiming to crack down on unlicensed “baby brokers” accused of exploiting vulnerable families and expectant mothers.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led the introduction of the Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act of 2025. The bill seeks to outlaw private adoption services provided by unlicensed intermediaries who operate outside of state regulations.
The legislation addresses a growing concern regarding entities that charge significant fees to facilitate adoptions without the oversight required of licensed agencies and attorneys.
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“Unlicensed ‘baby brokers’ are exploiting vulnerable Americans who hope to adopt a child and grow their families,” Senator Blackburn stated. “Our bipartisan ADOPT Act would protect expectant mothers and adoptive families from exploitation by ensuring they have access to licensed and trustworthy providers in their states.”
If passed, the ADOPT Act would criminalize specific unlawful practices, including:
- Prohibiting advertising or paid services by any entity not licensed as a child-placing agency or attorney.
- Restricting financial payments to expectant mothers—specifically those over $2,500—unless the payment is processed through a provider licensed in the mother’s home state.
Violators could face steep penalties. According to the bill’s text, individuals breaking the law could be fined up to $50,000 or face up to five years in prison, while organizations could see fines of $100,000 per violation.
“Adoption changes lives — for kids and adoptive parents alike. Unfortunately, unlicensed ‘baby brokers’ prey on vulnerable mothers and families, hurting everyone in the process,” said Senator Klobuchar.
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The bill has garnered support from major advocacy groups, including the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) and the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA). Ryan Hanlon, CEO of the NCFA, noted that the act would spare prospective parents the “heartbreak that so often accompanies signing with a predatory, unlicensed adoption intermediary.”
Co-sponsors in the Senate include Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio). Companion legislation has also been introduced in the House.
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