[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S9712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BUNNING:
  S. 1439. A bill to amend part E of title IV of the Social Security 
Act to reauthorize adoption incentives payments under section 473A of 
that Act and to provide incentives for the adoption of older children; 
to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, the Adoption Incentive Program has been a 
successful program, which provides States with real incentives to find 
permanent homes for foster children. However, AIP's authorization 
expires on September 30, 2003, and the program needs to be reauthorized 
this year.
  Under current law, States receive incentive payments for increasing 
the number of adoptions from the public foster care system. The amount 
of payments is based on the number of adoptions above a State's 
baseline, which is the highest number of adoptions in a State since 
1997.
  Currently, States receive $4,000 for each foster child adopted above 
the baseline number. The State can also receive $6,000 for each 
adoption above a baseline for children with special needs. While each 
State relies on individual criteria, ``special needs'' can include a 
child's age, ethnicity, disability or having siblings.
  AIP's success cannot be questioned. In fact, according to the 
Congressional Research Service, there was a 61 percent increase in 
adoptions of children from the public foster care system from 1997 to 
2001.
  At the same time, states have earned about $144 million in adoption 
incentives for adoptions from 1998, to 2001. In my State, Kentucky has 
received about $1.6 million in adoption incentives during this time 
period.
  However, it is now time to reauthorize and strengthen the program.
  One of the biggest challenges in the foster care system today is 
finding adoptive homes for older children. In fact, according to the 
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, AFCARS, which 
is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, once children 
reach the age of 9, their chances of adoption diminish.
  As of 2001, there were over 100,000 American children waiting to be 
adopted. Quit frankly, this is too many children waiting for loving 
homes, regardless of their age. The bill I am introducing continues to 
give States incentives to find homes for these kids, particularly older 
children.
  My bill, the Adoption Incentive Program Reauthorization Act of 2003, 
reauthorizes the program from 2004 to 2008, at $43 million a year.
  The bill continues to give States a payment of $4,000 for every child 
adopted above the State's baseline. Also, the bill requires States to 
establish a separate baseline for adoptions of children over the age of 
9, and will provide a payment of $6,000 for all older children adopted 
above the baseline.
  Children deserve the stability and support of a permanent home and a 
permanent family. The Adoption Incentive Program has already proven 
successful in encouraging states to act aggressively on a foster 
child's behalf. It is now time to strengthen the program for the years 
to come.
  I look forward to working on this issue with the other Members of 
Congress who are interested in adoption and hope we can get the program 
reauthorized soon.
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