The database on this page allows you to search 2012-2022 enacted child welfare legislation in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories by state, topic, keyword, status and/or primary author.
Topics include adoption, child fatality/near fatality, child protection, child sex trafficking, courts and legal representation, disproportionality, education of children in foster care, foster care, funding of child welfare services, health and mental/behavioral health of children involved in the child welfare system, infant abandonment and safe surrender, kinship care, oversight, administration and interagency collaboration, prevention of child abuse and neglect, reporting of child abuse and neglect, services for older youth in foster care, siblings, termination of parental rights, tribal issues, and workforce.
Bills may appear twice in carry-over states. In these states, please check the last date of action to ensure the status of the bill reflects the appropriate year.