The Department is sending this notice out as a courtesy to the Uniform Law Commission.

The Uniform Law Commission (ULC) convened a drafting committee to begin development of a draft uniform state law on the unregulated custody transfer (UCT) of adopted children. The ULC has indicated that it welcomes interested individuals to participate as observers on the drafting committee. Information about committee meetings and the observer role are available on the ULC website. The next meeting will be on April 5-6, 2019, in Washington, DC. The ULC permits you to follow the work of the committee by registering at this ULC link.  

For more information or to discuss your interest in participating as an observer, please contact:

David Biklen, ULC Drafting Committee Chair, biklen@sbcglobal.net

For background on UCT, please see the following resources:

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report on UCT – September 2015
• Department of State’s FY 2016 and FY 2017 Annual Reports discuss UCT as a significant barrier to the viability of intercountry adoption in the United States and the concern that countries of origin have about this dangerous practice that places vulnerable children at risk.
• UCT Tip Sheet – Developed by the Center for States, in collaboration with the interagency working group on UCT, this publication provides information about UCT and why it poses risk of harm to children.
• Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau UCT Information Memo - provides an overview of UCT of adopted children, responsibilities for states, and opportunities in the provision of post-adoption services.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Guidance on Determining Suitability of Prospective Adoptive Parents – published on November 9, 2018, this memo discusses UCT as a form of child abuse or neglect.