HB215, titled the Adoption Information Act, would amend Title V of the Social Security Act to require certain federally funded family planning service projects and programs to provide pamphlets with adoption center contact information. The bill applies when a person inquires about medical or abortion services and requires that the person be given a pamphlet containing a comprehensive list of adoption centers in the relevant region, along with each center’s address and telephone number, and an opportunity to read it.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be responsible for preparing, annually updating, and distributing the pamphlets to covered projects and programs. The bill also specifies that no additional funds may be used to carry out the new requirement beyond funds already appropriated under Title V. In effect, the measure adds a new condition to federal family planning grants and contracts under section 501 of the Social Security Act.
Impact
The bill would amend federal law governing Title V family planning grants by adding a new section that conditions funding on the distribution of adoption information pamphlets. It would affect federally funded family planning providers, requiring them to incorporate adoption center referrals into their patient information practices, and would place administrative responsibility on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to compile and update the materials annually.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote data is available, so there is no recorded legislative debate or roll-call sentiment in the provided materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for expanding adoption-related counseling information within family planning settings, but the available record does not show support or opposition from members beyond the bill’s introduction and referral.
Contention
The likely point of contention is whether family planning providers should be required to distribute adoption-center information when patients inquire about medical or abortion services. Supporters may view the bill as ensuring balanced information and promoting adoption as an option, while opponents may see it as an added mandate on providers or as an attempt to influence counseling in sensitive reproductive-health settings. No specific objections or endorsements are documented in the provided committee or vote history.
Adoption Information Act This bill requires federally funded family planning programs to provide each person who inquires about their services with specified information about adoption centers in their state. The Department of Health and Human Services must provide the programs with pamphlets containing the required information.