John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act

# John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act (S. 3279) **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to prohibit discrimination in foster care and adoption based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. If passed, it would prevent state and federal agencies, as well as private organizations receiving federal funds, from denying foster care or adoption services to individuals or couples based on these characteristics. The bill would also protect LGBTQ+ individuals from being removed from foster care placements solely due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. **Who It Affects** The legislation would impact LGBTQ+ individuals and couples seeking to foster or adopt children, as well as LGBTQ+ youth already in the foster care system.

It would also affect state child welfare agencies, private adoption and foster care agencies that receive federal funding, and potentially the children in foster care who could be placed with a broader pool of qualified families. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. As of now, it has not advanced beyond the initial committee review stage. The bill was sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).