Bill · S. 162· Senate(119-S-162)
Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/21/2025
- Last activity
- 6/15/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
The Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 aims to improve the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive families. It amends the Social Security Act to require states to develop a family partnership plan. This plan must involve consultation with various stakeholders, including birth families and youth with lived experience. The plan requires states to use data to improve placement stability and reduce reliance on congregate care. Additionally, the act mandates updated reporting on family capacity, challenges, and racial/ethnic representation. Finally, it requires specific foster and adoptive family data to be included in annual reports to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would children be better off under this?+7
The bill aims to increase permanency, improve placement stability, and reduce reliance on congregate care for children.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
The bill requires states to analyze and overcome barriers to recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children in foster care.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill's emphasis on recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children aims to address systemic racial disparities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Family Stability: The requirement for states to use data to increase permanency, improve placement stability, and reduce unnecessary placements in congregate care could benefit children in the system (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Better Support for Relatives: The bill requires states to plan how they will identify, notify, engage, and support relatives as potential placement resources (Section s 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Voice for Youth: The act requires states to authentically engage children and youth in recruitment efforts on their behalf (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Enhanced Recruitment for Special Populations: The plan must address how to improve the recruitment and retention of families for teens, sibling groups, and other special populations (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Improved Representation: The bill requires states to analyze and work to overcome barriers to recruiting families that reflect the racial and ethnic background of children in foster care (Section 2(a)(2)(5)).
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Informed Policy Through Feedback: States must collect and update summaries regarding feedback from foster/adoptive parents and youth concerning training, support, and the reasons why placements may fail or parents stop fostering (Section 2(a)(2)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Implementation Delays: While the amendment generally takes effect October 1, 2027, states that require new legislation to meet these requirements may have a delay in compliance until after their next regular legislative session (Section 2(b)(1) and (2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+7Good For African Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For People With Disabilities+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Poverty Reduction+3
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 months ago | To change the effective dates. |
- 6/15/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/12/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/11/2026
- Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2770-2771)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2770-2771)
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2770-2771)
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi