S. 3223: Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 aims to improve understanding and sensitivity about adoption within the health care system. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Findings

The bill states several key findings, including:

• 24% of people in the U.S. have considered adoption.
• 80% of women considering adoption do so after six months of pregnancy.
• 81% of birth parents value access to objective information when deciding on adoption.
• 93% of people trust hospitals and health care facilities as information sources on adoption.
• 98.2% of nurses lack formal training in adoption sensitivities.
• Less than 1% of women with unintended pregnancies choose to place their children for adoption.

Resource Development and Dissemination

The bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to:

• Develop and spread resources that provide accurate information regarding:
• The sensitivities surrounding adoption in health care.
• Best practices for interacting with prospective birth mothers and adoptive families.
• Create both digital and print resources.
• Maintain a dedicated website page for adoption resources targeted at health care workers.

Education for Health Care Providers

The Secretary is also tasked with providing education and professional development to health providers in hospitals and birthing centers regarding:

• Patient care for families considering adoption.
• Consultation services to create standardized guidelines and procedures.

Grants and Contracts

The bill specifies that the Secretary may issue grants or contracts to nonprofits focusing on adoption education. Eligible organizations must:

• Collaborate with health professionals and community organizations.
• Promote holistic parenting support.
• Provide non-directive educational services without conflicts of interest (e.g., cannot be a child-placing agency or provide abortions).

Evaluation and Reporting

The Secretary is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the resources and education programs. This includes calculating:

• The number of hospitals that implement adoption-sensitive programs.
• The number of health care providers who receive adoption training.

A report detailing these evaluations must be submitted to Congress within three years after the bill’s enactment.

Definitions

The bill clarifies key terms, including:

• Birth mother: A woman who allows her child to be placed for adoption.
• Care provider: Any health care staff who interact with expectant mothers, birth mothers, and prospective adoptive families.
• Potential adoptive family: Individuals actively seeking to adopt a child.

Relevant Companies

None found.