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Every private adoption agency must meet the licensing requirements imposed by the laws of its state to ensure safety for children and families. As each U.S. state has its own adoption laws, individuals interested in opening adoption agencies should contact the licensing offices in their own states. For international adoptions, agencies may need to confirm federal-level requirements through the U.S. Department of State.
Adoption requirements are handled at the state level, which makes the process slightly different from state to state. Texas, for instance, has different requirements than Virginia or Rhode Island. Because adoption agencies and courts are vigilant in their screenings and proceedings, it is important to know and properly complete these requirements before petitioning for an adoption.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights are a constant subject of debate in politics. The disagreements revolve around issues such as gay marriage, adoption of children and discrimination policies. Many states have laws specifically regarding the rights of LGBT persons to adopt a child within that state. Texas has specific laws regarding who may adopt and requirements for adoption, under the Texas Statute's Family Code in Chapter 162: Adoption.
There are no federal laws against gay adoption in North America. Policies on adoption are determined by the states. The Human Rights Campaign, a national gay and lesbian advocacy group, identifies 21 states and the District of Columbia as being "open" to gay adoption. Human Rights Campaign official Lisa Bennett told Children's Voice Magazine in 2002: "More and more states recognize gay adoption as a fine thing." However, the practice remains controversial even in states where it is allowed.
