The acts listed below provide a framework for understanding the Federal legislation that has shaped the delivery of child welfare services. Click on the P.L. number to access the summary of a specific act, including its major provisions. You may also search the summaries of all included acts by keyword. To access the full text of these and other significant Federal acts, see the Index of Federal Child Welfare Laws. To view the summaries of all the acts included in this publication, download the complete printable PDF (544 KB).
2020 to Present:
2010's
P.L. 111-320 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010P.L. 115-123 - Family First Prevention Services Act
P.L. 115-271 - Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
P.L. 114-198 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016
P.L. 114-22 - Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015
P.L. 113-183 - Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act
P.L. 112-34 - Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act
P.L. 111-148 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
P.L. 100-294 - Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988
2000's
P.L. 110-351 - Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008P.L. 109-432 - Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
P.L. 109-288 - Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006
P.L. 109-248 - Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
P.L. 109-239 - Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006
P.L. 109-171 - Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
P.L. 109-113 - Fair Access Foster Care Act of 2005
P.L. 108-145 - Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
P.L. 108-36 - Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
P.L. 107-133 - Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
P.L. 106-279 - Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000
P.L. 106-177 - Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2000
1990's
P.L. 106-169 - Foster Care Independence Act of 1999P.L. 105-89 - Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
P.L. 104-235 - Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1996
P.L. 104-188 - The Interethnic Provisions of 1996
P.L. 103-382 - Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994
P.L. 103-66 - Family Preservation and Support Services Program Act of 1993
P.L. 102-295 - Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992
1980's
P.L. 98-457 - Child Abuse Amendments of 1984P.L. 96-272 - Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
1970's
P.L. 95-608 - Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978P.L. 95-266 - Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978
P.L. 93-247 - Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974