U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, John Hoeven, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Tom Udall and Jerry Moran reintroduced the bipartisan Tribal Adoption Parity Act legislation that would bring parity to tribal government for the adoption tax credit.

Specifically, the bill amends Section 23 of the Internal Revenue Code by adding “Indian tribal governments” to the adoption tax credit. Tribal governments would then be able to designate adoptive children as having “special needs,” a determination that would entitle the adoptive parents to qualify for the full adoption tax credit. This legislation would make the special needs adoption tax credit available to all adoptive parents who adopt children through tribal courts. The bill was previously introduced by former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

“Adoption can be a long and expensive process, and the parents deserve our support,” Hoeven said. “Our legislation would bring parity between states and tribes when seeking adoptive homes for children with special needs. That will help make adoption a more affordable option for families and ensure that more children can be placed in loving, permanent homes.”

The legislation is supported by the Child Welfare League of America, the National Congress of American Indians, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the North American Council on Adoptable Children, and Voice for Adoption.