Federal Child Welfare Law and Legislation
A click on the P.L. (Public Law) is a link that takes you to a page on the (Federal) Administration for Children and Families’ Child Welfare Information Gateway (www.childwelfare.gov) that provides an overview and major provisions of the law as well as a link to the actual text of the law and a link to “Program Instructions” related to the law.
Also provided is a Graphic Timeline of Federal Child Abuse Law since 1974.
P.L. 110-351 H.R. 6893 Enacted October 7, 2008
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
P.L. 109-432 H.R.6111 Enacted December 20, 2006
Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
P.L. 109-288 S. 3525 Enacted September 28, 2006
Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006
P.L. 109-248 H.R. 4472 Enacted July 27, 2006
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
P.L. 109-239 H.R. 5403 Enacted July 3, 2006
Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006
P.L. 109-171 S. 1932 Enacted February 8, 2006
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
P.L. 109-113 S. 1894 Enacted November 22, 2005
Fair Access Foster Care Act of 2005
P.L. 108-145 H.R. 3182 Enacted December 2, 2003
Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
P.L. 108-36 S. 342 Enacted June 25, 2003
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
P.L. 107-133 H.R. 2873 Enacted January 17, 2002
Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
P.L. 106-279 H.R. 2909 Enacted October 6, 2000
Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000
P.L. 106-177 H.R. 764 Enacted March 10, 2000
Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2000
P.L. 106-169 H.R. 3443 Enacted December 12, 1999
Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
P.L. 105-89 H.R. 897 Enacted November 19, 1997
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
P.L. 104-235 S. 919 Enacted October 3, 1996
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1996
P.L. 104-188 H.R. 3448 Enacted August 20, 1996
The Interethnic Provisions of 1996
P.L. 103-382 H.R. 6 Enacted October 20, 1994
Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994
P.L. 103-66 H.R. 2264 Enacted August 10, 1993
Family Preservation and Support Services Program Act of 1993
P.L. 102-295 S. 838 Enacted May 28, 1992
Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992
P.L. 100-294 H.R. 1900 Enacted April 25, 1988
Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988
P.L. 98-457 H.R. 1904 Enacted October 9, 1984
Child Abuse Amendments of 1984
P.L. 96-272 H.R. 3434 Enacted June 17, 1980
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
P.L. 95-608 S. 1214 Enacted November 11, 1978
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978
P.L. 95-266 H.R. 6693 Enacted April 24, 1978
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978
P.L. 93-247 S. 1191 Enacted January 31, 1974
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 1974