The Department has published a proposed rule amending 22 CFR part 96, the regulations on Intercountry Adoption Accreditation of Agencies and Approval of Persons. See the proposed rule and make comments at www.regulations.gov. To reach the correct docket, search for docket number DOS–2020–0048 in the large search field on the www.regulations.gov landing page. The Federal Register published the proposed rule today, starting a 60-day period for public comment. It will be open for public comment through January 19, 2021.

The Department looks forward to receiving comments on the proposed changes from all interested members of the public. While the regulation outlines the requirements for the accreditation of agencies and approval of persons to provide adoption services in intercountry adoption cases, the work done by those agencies and persons affects everyone involved in the adoption process, including children eligible for adoption, their birth families, and prospective adoptive parents. The Department encourages comment from the public at large, including those with different experiences relating to adoptions, such as prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents, the adult-adoptee community, advocates, and academics who study these issues.

The Department looks forward to receiving comments on the proposed changes. Consistent with the requirements of the regulatory process, the Department will only consider comments submitted through the regulations.gov docket. Please distribute this notice broadly.