Adoptee Rights Legislation
We follow and analyze state and federal legislation that could directly or indirectly impact adopted people, plus provide educational resources for advocacy.
Jump to: Federal Legislation | State Legislation | Legislative Dates | Bill Watchlist | Resources
Federal Legislation
Federal legislation that Adoptees United currently tracks and analyzes. Descriptions and analyses of these and additional federal bills are on our federal legislation page.
KEY: Support | Neutral | Oppose | Impacts intercountry adoptees
Equal Citizenship for Children Act
HR1386 [Redlined PDF]. Introduced by Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), the Equal Citizenship for Children Act would amend current law so that those who were or are under 18 years of age and residing in the United States in the legal custody of a US citizen parent (whether adoptive or biological and including naturalized US citizens) would automatically acquire US citizenship, retroactive to those born after 12:00pm EST on January 9, 1941. The person, while under the age of 18, must also have been residing in the United States as a legal permanent resident (i.e., possessed a green card) or had a “pending application to adjust status to lawful permanent resident.”
While the bill is intended to repeal the so-called “Guyer Rule,” a more than century old legal doctrine used to deny US citizenship to children born abroad to US citizen fathers—disproportionately Black fathers—the key provision in the bill provides retroactive citizenship to 1941 for those impacted by the rule. This would, in addition, assure US citizenship for intercountry adoptees so long as they had met the requirements of the Act while under the age of 18. Presumably, this would include previously deported adoptees (though this may be complicated and needs more analysis). It would not, however, apply to intercountry adoptees or others who arrived in the United States on a non-immigrant visa (e.g., a tourist/visitor visa) and who did not obtain a green card while under the age of 18. The act also dispenses with a requirement of physical custody of the child with their US citizen parent(s), and clarifies the definition of a child to include 1) “the nonmarital child of a legal custodian citizen father” and 2) the child of a US citizen parent if the parent-child relationship is recognized under US or foreign parentage laws.
The bill currently has multiple Democratic sponsors/co-sponsors in the House, and has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
Adoption COUNTS Act
HR6700. Would require state courts to report the number of private adoptions each year to the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since approximately 1975, most states and the federal government discontinued the collection of data on how many people each year were adopted through private adoptions. Today, we can only estimate how many adoptees are in the United States, and that estimate includes a great deal of ad hoc guesswork and research. Needless to say, adoptees have generally disappeared from overall statistics for almost two generations. HR6700 attempts to change that. It would require, as part of federal funding, that state courts report the number of private adoptions each year to the US Children’s Bureau. The count would also require reporting the age of the adoptee at the time of the adoption, whether the adoption was through a step-parent, legal guardian, or unrelated person, and whether the person was born as a result of gestational surrogacy. Importantly, the bill would require reporting whether the adoptive parents gained custody of the child through an international adoption placement or international guardianship. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO-5).
ADOPT Act
HR6220. Seeks to reduce unregulated and unethical practices in adoption. The Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act seeks to crack down on unlicensed for-profit baby brokers and prohibits certain advertising and payments associated with adoptions. The core provisions:
- prohibit adoption advertising and paid private adoption services unless they are through a licensed child-placing agency or licensed attorney; and
- restrict payments to birthmothers unless the payments are made through a licensed provider in the state where the mother lives.
State Legislation
Map of state legislation that Adoptees United currently tracks and analyzes. Additional descriptions and analyses of these bills are on our state legislative page (or click on a state to find out more).
KEY: Active • Enacted • Dead/Carried Over
2024 Adoptee Rights Legislation (Domestic)
RESOURCE
State Legislative Session Dates
Dates and deadlines for current state legislative sessions.
KEY: In Session • Not Yet In Session • Adjourned • No Session
2024 Legislative Session Dates
Alabama convened on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Alaska convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Deadline for House Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
No Crossover Deadline
Arizona convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 5, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): First committee deadline in the house of origin is February 16, 2024. Committee deadline for the second house is March 22, 2024.
Arkansas convenes on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
California convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, May 24, 2024
Notes (if any):
Colorado convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Notes (if any):
Connecticut convened on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Delaware convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
District of Columbia convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Florida convened on January 9, 2024, adjourned on March 8, 2024.
Georgia convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Hawaii convened on Thursday, January 18, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Notes (if any):
Idaho convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 2, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 2, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 4, 2024
Notes (if any):
Illinois convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, April 19, 2024
Notes (if any): Senate crossover deadline is April 12, 2024, while the House crossover deadline is April 19, 2024
Indiana convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Legislative Makeup: Republicans control both the House and the Senate
Iowa convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 4, 2024
Notes (if any):
Kansas convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, February 23, 2024
Notes (if any): Adjournment generally is April 5, 2024, followed by a recess and then a veto session that begins on April 29, 2024.
Kentucky convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Special session is scheduled for February 19 through March 6, 2024.
Louisiana convened on Monday, March 11, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, May 31, 2024
Maine convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Maryland convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, February 5, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 18, 2024
Notes (if any):
Massachusetts convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Committee deadline is February 7, 2024. Massachusetts has a formal session until July 31, 2024, and an informal session for the remainder of the year.
Michigan convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Minnesota convened on Monday, February 12, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Deadline to Crossover: See note
Legislative Makeup: Democrats control the Senate and the House
Notes (if any): Non-fiscal bills must be reported out of committee by March 22, 2024. Fiscal bills must be reported out by April 19, 2024.
Mississippi convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 19, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, February 19, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Notes (if any):
Missouri convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, March 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Nebraska convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, January 1, 2018
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
New Hampshire convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Notes (if any):
New Jersey convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
New Mexico convened on January 16, 2024, and adjourned on February 15, 2024.
New York convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
North Carolina convenes on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Ohio convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Oklahoma convened on Monday, February 5, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Notes (if any):
Oregon convened on February 5, 2024, adjourned on March 10, 2024.
Pennsylvania convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Rhode Island convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Senate committee deadline is April 11, 2024, while House bills must receive a hearing by April 10, 2024.
South Carolina convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Notes (if any):
South Dakota convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Notes (if any): In recess to consider governor vetoes from March 8 to March 24, 2024.
Tennessee convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Utah convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Notes (if any):
Vermont convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, March 15, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Virginia convened on January 10, 2024, and adjourned on March 10, 2024.
Washington convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and adjourn on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Notes (if any): Non-fiscal bills must crossover by January 31, 2024.
West Virginia convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and adjourned on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Wisconsin convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Wyoming convened on Monday, February 12, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, February 26, 2024
Legislative Makeup: Republicans control the Senate and the House
Alabama convened on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Alaska convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Deadline for House Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
No Crossover Deadline
Arizona convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 5, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): First committee deadline in the house of origin is February 16, 2024. Committee deadline for the second house is March 22, 2024.
Arkansas convenes on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
California convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, May 24, 2024
Notes (if any):
Colorado convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Notes (if any):
Connecticut convened on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Delaware convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
District of Columbia convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Florida convened on January 9, 2024, adjourned on March 8, 2024.
Georgia convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Hawaii convened on Thursday, January 18, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Notes (if any):
Idaho convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 2, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 2, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 4, 2024
Notes (if any):
Illinois convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, April 19, 2024
Notes (if any): Senate crossover deadline is April 12, 2024, while the House crossover deadline is April 19, 2024
Indiana convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Legislative Makeup: Republicans control both the House and the Senate
Iowa convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 4, 2024
Notes (if any):
Kansas convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, February 23, 2024
Notes (if any): Adjournment generally is April 5, 2024, followed by a recess and then a veto session that begins on April 29, 2024.
Kentucky convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Special session is scheduled for February 19 through March 6, 2024.
Louisiana convened on Monday, March 11, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Friday, May 31, 2024
Maine convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Maryland convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, February 5, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, March 18, 2024
Notes (if any):
Massachusetts convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Committee deadline is February 7, 2024. Massachusetts has a formal session until July 31, 2024, and an informal session for the remainder of the year.
Michigan convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Minnesota convened on Monday, February 12, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Deadline to Crossover: See note
Legislative Makeup: Democrats control the Senate and the House
Notes (if any): Non-fiscal bills must be reported out of committee by March 22, 2024. Fiscal bills must be reported out by April 19, 2024.
Mississippi convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Monday, February 19, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, February 19, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Notes (if any):
Missouri convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, March 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Nebraska convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Monday, January 1, 2018
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
New Hampshire convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Notes (if any):
New Jersey convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
New Mexico convened on January 16, 2024, and adjourned on February 15, 2024.
New York convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
North Carolina convenes on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Ohio convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Oklahoma convened on Monday, February 5, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Notes (if any):
Oregon convened on February 5, 2024, adjourned on March 10, 2024.
Pennsylvania convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Rhode Island convened on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any): Senate committee deadline is April 11, 2024, while House bills must receive a hearing by April 10, 2024.
South Carolina convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Notes (if any):
South Dakota convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Notes (if any): In recess to consider governor vetoes from March 8 to March 24, 2024.
Tennessee convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Utah convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, January 26, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Notes (if any):
Vermont convened on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, March 15, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Virginia convened on January 10, 2024, and adjourned on March 10, 2024.
Washington convened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and adjourn on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Notes (if any): Non-fiscal bills must crossover by January 31, 2024.
West Virginia convened on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and adjourned on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Wisconsin convened on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction:
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction:
Deadline to Crossover:
Notes (if any):
Wyoming convened on Monday, February 12, 2024, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Deadline for House/Assembly Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for Senate Bill Introduction: Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline to Crossover: Monday, February 26, 2024
Legislative Makeup: Republicans control the Senate and the House
Resource
Bill Watchlist
A list of selected bills that may impact adoption law and adoptee rights work, not just those we are tracking and prioritizing for attention.
How the legislative process works.
A general flowchart that shows how state bills are introduced, heard, passed, and enacted—or not.
Want to Help?
We Could Sure Use It
We can’t succeed in our work without help from our own community and our allies. Please consider providing a tax-deductible donation to Adoptees United Inc. Every contribution counts, no matter how small.
Support Our Educational Efforts and Programming
We create and provide programming on all sorts of issues, whether legislative work, highlighting the experiences of all adopted people, or sponsoring open mics and town halls. We rely on contributions to sustain that work.