PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 112-276.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 14, 2013
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 5, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 - Applies universal intercountry adoption accreditation standards under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, and related regulations, to the same extent as they apply to the offering or provision of adoption services in connection with an adoption under the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, to any person offering or providing adoption services in connection with a foreign orphan under age 16 adopted or to be adopted by a U.S. citizen.
Gives the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), the Attorney General, and the accrediting entities the duties, responsibilities, and authorities under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 and related regulations with respect to a person offering or providing such adoption services, regardless of whether such services are offered or provided in connection with a Convention adoption.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Amends the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 to: (1) repeal the prohibition against, and so make available, collected fees to accrediting entities; and (2) add a congressional report requirement on the use of federal funding.
People & committees
Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D–MA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 112-276.
Became Public Law No: 112-276.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 12/30/2012 H7457)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 12/30/2012 H7457)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7559-7560)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3331.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7457-7458)
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7636-7637)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 539.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. With written report No. 112-234.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. With written report No. 112-234.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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