Protecting Adopted Children Act

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 27, 2017

Protecting Adopted Children Act

This bill expands the requirements that states must meet in order to receive adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments. Specifically, states must establish minimum training requirements for prospective adoptive parents and guardians. In addition, states must provide pre- and post-adoption services to families adopting, or obtaining legal guardianship of, children in foster care. Those services must address the specific mental health needs of adopted children, children to be adopted, and their families.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · D–RI

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 27, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jul 27, 2017
Introduced in House
Jul 27, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 27, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3491 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3491, 115th Congress: Protecting Adopted Children Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr3491/BILLS-115hr3491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:33:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3491 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3491 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3491, 115th Congress: Protecting Adopted Children Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr3491/BILLS-115hr3491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:33:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3491 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3491 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3491, 115th Congress: Protecting Adopted Children Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr3491/BILLS-115hr3491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:33:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3491 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3491 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3491, 115th Congress: Protecting Adopted Children Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr3491/BILLS-115hr3491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:33:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3491 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.