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 regulations.gov. To reach the correct docket, search for docket number DOS–2016–0056 in the large search field on the regulations.gov landing page. The proposed rule was published today in the Federal Register, starting a 60-day period for public comment.  It will be open to public comment through November 7, 2016.

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. Therefore, the Department encourages comment from the public at large, including those with different experiences relating to adoption, 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 that the public finds positive as well as those that may raise concerns. Please distribute this notice broadly.