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Read. Follow. Verify.John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act
Last action · November 20, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.Sponsors: Danny Davis and 166 others
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill aims to prevent discrimination in child welfare and foster care services based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status. It seeks to improve outcomes for LGBTQ youth in the foster care system by prohibiting discriminatory practices and addressing disparities in care.
The bill would establish federal protections against discrimination for prospective foster/adoptive parents and youth, potentially changing eligibility requirements and operational standards for child welfare agencies receiving federal funding.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
LGBTQ youth in foster care
The bill aims to reduce discrimination and improve safety and permanency outcomes for this group.
Child welfare agencies
Agencies would be prohibited from using religion, sex, or marital status as criteria for providing services or approving foster/adoptive parents.
Prospective foster and adoptive parents
The bill prohibits agencies from discriminating against these individuals based on their religion, sex, or marital status.
Key Facts
- Prohibits discrimination in child welfare services based on religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and marital status.
- Aims to improve safety and permanency outcomes for LGBTQ foster youth.
- Notes that approximately 400,000 children and youth are in foster care nationwide.
- States that LGBTQ youth comprise at least 30 percent of the foster care population.
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- Identifies conversion therapy as a form of discrimination and highlights its negative mental health impacts.
- Cites data indicating LGBTQ youth in foster care have higher rates of suicide attempts and housing instability compared to their peers.
- References Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a basis for existing protections against discrimination in federally funded programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Nov 20, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Nov 20, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Civil Rights Protections
The bill explicitly links child welfare discrimination to the framework of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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