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Laws & Policies

Publications and resources related to State and Federal civil laws on child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption. Federal laws provide standards and guidelines; however, these issues are primarily governed by State laws and regulations in the United States.

	State statutes index and search Access the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes Series by title, or search statutes by individual States on issues related to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption.

State laws on child abuse and neglect
Laws addressing reporting and responding to child abuse and neglect, maintaining child abuse and neglect records, protecting children from domestic violence, and related issues.

State laws on making permanency plans for children in care
Laws addressing State agency responsibility when a child is placed in out-of-home care, including case planning, reasonable efforts to reunify families, and related issues.

State laws on adoption
Laws addressing domestic adoption, intercountry adoption, and postadoption issues.

Federal laws
Publications and resources on Federal laws and policies related to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption.

	Selected Resources American Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service State-by-State directory of attorney referral programs.

	Related Information Gateway Topics Systemwide: Courts

Updated on November 19, 2008