Ohio 136th General Assembly Status: Introduced 1 R cosponsors

HB 865 — Regards information on and advertisement of adoptable children

Last action — Reported - Amended

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced May 12, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 12% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    1 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill relates to how information about adoptable children is shared and advertised.

This bill amends existing laws to improve the availability of information and advertisements regarding adoptable children. It aims to enhance public engagement and awareness about children waiting for adoption.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families looking to adopt may find more accessible information about children who need a home.

Summary

To amend section 5103.17 and to enact sections 3107.018, 3107.019, 5103.171, and 5180.23 of the Revised Code regarding availability of information on and advertisement of adoptable children.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

177 added · 167 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 865 removed the reference to the "AdoptUSKids" website, simplifying the language around resources for adoption. Additionally, the sections outlining the adoption process and definitions related to advertising and qualified adoptive parents have been clarified. These changes are important because they streamline the information provided to prospective adoptive parents, making it easier for them to navigate the adoption process and access necessary resources.

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As Introduced 136th General Assembly Regular Session H.
As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session Am.
H.
To amend section 5103.17 and to enact sections 1 3107.018, 3107.019, 5103.171, and 5180.23 of the 2 Revised Code regarding availability of 3 information on and advertisement of adoptable 4 children.
Cosponsor:
Representative Lett To amend section 5103.17 and to enact sections 1 3107.018, 3107.019, 5103.171, and 5180.23 of the 2 Revised Code regarding availability of 3 information on and advertisement of adoptable 4 children.
17 (b) The department of children and youth's "It Takes 18 Heart" web site or its successor web site;
17 (b) The department of children and youth's "It Takes 18 Am.
19 H.
H.
865 Page 2 As Introduced (c) The national adoption association's "AdoptUSKids" web 20 site or its successor web site.
865 Page 2 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee Heart" web site or its successor web site.
21 (2) Contact information for the relevant agency staff who 22 oversee adoption;
19 (2) Contact information for the relevant agency staff who 20 oversee adoption;
23 (3) The general description of adoption processes and 24 procedures, as prepared by the department of children and youth 25 in accordance with division (B) of this section.
21 (3) The general description of adoption processes and 22 procedures, as prepared by the department of children and youth 23 in accordance with division (B) of this section.
26 (B) The department of children and youth shall prepare a 27 general description of adoption processes and procedures for use 28 by each public children services agency in accordance with 29 division (A)(3) of this section.
24 (B) The department of children and youth shall prepare a 25 general description of adoption processes and procedures for use 26 by each public children services agency in accordance with 27 division (A)(3) of this section.
30 Sec.
28 Sec.
31 (1) "Advertise" means a method of communication that is 32 electronic, written, visual, or oral and made by means of 33 personal representation, newspaper, magazine, circular, 34 billboard, direct mailing, sign, radio, television, telephone, 35 or otherwise.
29 (1) "Advertise" means a method of communication that is 30 electronic, written, visual, or oral and made by means of 31 personal representation, newspaper, magazine, circular, 32 billboard, direct mailing, sign, radio, television, telephone, 33 or otherwise.
36 (2) "Qualified adoptive parent" means a person who is 37 eligible to adopt a child under section 3107.03 of the Revised 38 Code and for whom an assessor has conducted a home study to 39 determine whether the person is suitable to adopt a child, if 40 required by section 3107.031 of the Revised Code.
34 (2) "Qualified adoptive parent" means a person who is 35 eligible to adopt a child under section 3107.03 of the Revised 36 Code and for whom an assessor has conducted a home study to 37 determine whether the person is suitable to adopt a child, if 38 required by section 3107.031 of the Revised Code.
41 (B) Subject to section sections 5103.16 and 5103.171 of 42 the Revised Code and to division (C), (D), or (E) of this 43 section, no person or government entity, other than a private 44 child placing agency or private noncustodial agency certified by 45 the department of children and youth under section 5103.03 of 46 the Revised Code or a public children services agency, shall 47 advertise that the person or government entity will adopt 48 H.
39 (B) Subject to section sections 5103.16 and 5103.171 of 40 the Revised Code and to division (C), (D), or (E) of this 41 section, no person or government entity, other than a private 42 child placing agency or private noncustodial agency certified by 43 the department of children and youth under section 5103.03 of 44 the Revised Code or a public children services agency, shall 45 advertise that the person or government entity will adopt 46 children or place them in foster homes, hold out inducements to 47 Am.
H.
865 Page 3 As Introduced children or place them in foster homes, hold out inducements to 49 parents to part with their offspring or in any manner knowingly 50 become a party to the separation of a child from the child's 51 parents or guardians, except through a juvenile court or probate 52 court commitment.
865 Page 3 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee parents to part with their offspring or in any manner knowingly 48 become a party to the separation of a child from the child's 49 parents or guardians, except through a juvenile court or probate 50 court commitment.
53 (C) The biological parent of a child may advertise the 54 availability for placement of the parent's child for adoption to 55 a qualified adoptive parent.
51 (C) The Subject to section 5103.171 of the Revised Code, 52 the biological parent of a child may advertise the availability 53 for placement of the parent's child for adoption to a qualified 54 adoptive parent.
56 (D) A qualified adoptive parent may advertise that the 57 qualified adoptive parent is available for placement of a child 58 into the qualified adoptive parent's care for the purpose of 59 adopting the child.
55 (D) A qualified adoptive parent may advertise that the 56 qualified adoptive parent is available for placement of a child 57 into the qualified adoptive parent's care for the purpose of 58 adopting the child.
60 (E) A government entity may advertise about its role in 61 the placement of children for adoption or any other information 62 that would be relevant to qualified adoptive parents.
59 (E) A government entity may advertise about its role in 60 the placement of children for adoption or any other information 61 that would be relevant to qualified adoptive parents.
63 (F) Except as provided in section 3107.055 of the Revised 64 Code, the following apply:
62 (F) Except as provided in section 3107.055 of the Revised 63 Code, the following apply:
65 (1) No person shall offer money or anything of value in 66 exchange for placement of a child for adoption.
64 (1) No person shall offer money or anything of value in 65 exchange for placement of a child for adoption.
67 (2) No biological parent may request money or anything of 68 value in exchange for placement for adoption of the parent's 69 child with a qualified adoptive parent.
66 (2) No biological parent may request money or anything of 67 value in exchange for placement for adoption of the parent's 68 child with a qualified adoptive parent.
70 (G) If the department of children and youth has reasonable 71 cause to believe a violation of this section has been committed, 72 the department shall notify the attorney general or the county 73 prosecutor, city attorney, village solicitor, or other chief 74 legal officer of the political subdivision in which the 75 violation has allegedly occurred.
69 (G) If the department of children and youth has reasonable 70 cause to believe a violation of this section has been committed, 71 the department shall notify the attorney general or the county 72 prosecutor, city attorney, village solicitor, or other chief 73 legal officer of the political subdivision in which the 74 violation has allegedly occurred.
On receipt of the 76 notification, the attorney general, county prosecutor, city 77 H.
On receipt of the 75 notification, the attorney general, county prosecutor, city 76 Am.
H.
865 Page 4 As Introduced attorney, village solicitor, or other chief legal officer shall 78 take action to enforce this section through injunctive relief or 79 criminal charge.
865 Page 4 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee attorney, village solicitor, or other chief legal officer shall 77 take action to enforce this section through injunctive relief or 78 criminal charge.
80 Sec.
79 Sec.
(A)(1) The department of children and youth 81 shall establish and maintain on its "It Takes Heart" adoption 82 initiative web site or its successor web site a centralized 83 database that publishes the profiles of children who are 84 available for placement with qualified adoptive parents, as 85 prepared by public children services agencies, private child 86 placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, and attorneys, 87 in accordance with division (B) of this section.
(A)(1) The department of children and youth 80 shall establish and maintain on its "It Takes Heart" adoption 81 initiative web site or its successor web site a centralized 82 database that publishes the profiles of children who are 83 available for placement with qualified adoptive parents, as 84 prepared by public children services agencies, private child 85 placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, and attorneys, 86 in accordance with division (B) of this section.
The database 88 shall not be publicly accessible except by qualified adoptive 89 parents with a password-protected account.
The database 87 shall not be publicly accessible except by qualified adoptive 88 parents with a password-protected account.
90 The department shall not permit a qualified adoptive 91 parent to create an account until the qualified adoptive parent 92 has completed all required training and has an approved and 93 unexpired home study.
89 The department shall not permit a qualified adoptive 90 parent to create an account until the qualified adoptive parent 91 has completed all required training and has an approved and 92 unexpired home study.
The account shall be suspended upon the 94 expiration of the home study or training and shall not be 95 reinstated until the qualified adoptive parent provides a valid 96 and unexpired home study or completes training, as applicable.
The account shall be suspended upon the 93 expiration of the home study or training and shall not be 94 reinstated until the qualified adoptive parent provides a valid 95 and unexpired home study or completes training, as applicable.
97 (2) The department of children and youth shall maintain 98 verification of a qualified adoptive parent's training and 99 approved home study.
96 (2) The department of children and youth shall maintain 97 verification of a qualified adoptive parent's training and 98 approved home study.
Upon the request of the qualified adoptive 100 parent's recommending agency or attorney, the department shall 101 share the qualified adoptive parent's training and approved home 102 study with the recommending agency or attorney.
Upon the request of the qualified adoptive 99 parent's recommending agency or attorney, the department shall 100 share the qualified adoptive parent's training and approved home 101 study with the recommending agency or attorney.
103 (3) The department shall remove a child's profile on the 104 request of the child.
102 (3) The department shall remove a child's profile on the 103 request of the child.
The department shall periodically review 105 the database to remove profiles of children who either:
The department shall periodically review 104 the database to remove profiles of children who either:
106 H.
105 Am.
H.
865 Page 5 As Introduced (a) Are eighteen years of age or older;
865 Page 5 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee (a) Are eighteen years of age or older;
107 (b) Have been adopted or are in a permanent placement.
106 (b) Have been adopted, have a court-appointed guardian, or 107 are otherwise unavailable for adoption.
Only the department may publish 112 profiles of children who are available for placement with 113 qualified adoptive parents.
No person or government entity other 112 than the department shall publish profiles of children who are 113 available for placement with qualified adoptive parents.
Show all 80 changed rows (40 more)
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114 (B)(1) Each public children services agency, private child 115 placing agency, and private noncustodial agency shall, and an 116 attorney may, create a profile for each child who is available 117 for placement with qualified adoptive parents and consents to 118 have a profile created for whom the agency or attorney provides 119 services.
114 (B)(1) Each public children services agency, private child 115 placing agency, and private noncustodial agency shall, and an 116 attorney may, create a profile for each child to whom both of 117 the following apply:
No agency or attorney shall be required to create a 120 profile of a child who does not consent to have a profile 121 created.
118 (a) The agency or attorney serves the child who is 119 available for placement with qualified adoptive parents.
In creating a profile, the agency shall be subject to 122 the following requirements:
120 (b) The child consents, in accordance with division (B)(2) 121 of this section, to have the profile created.
123 (a) Any picture or video of a child shall be a headshot 124 only and shall not include any personally identifiable 125 information, including school or activity logos.
122 No agency or attorney shall be required to create a 123 profile of a child if the child does not consent to have a 124 profile created.
126 (b) A profile of a child shall not include either of the 127 following:
125 (2)(a) No agency or attorney shall obtain consent from a 126 child to create a profile unless the child is twelve years of 127 age or older.
128 (i) Any personally identifiable information;
128 (b) In obtaining consent from the child, the agency or 129 attorney shall explain to the child the child's options and 130 rights regarding the profile in an adoption-competent, trauma- 131 informed, and developmentally appropriate manner.
129 (ii) A child's medical information or information 130 regarding the child's mental, physical, or social impairment or 131 disability, including information on behavioral issues or 132 substance use.
132 (c) The profile of a child who is part of a sibling group 133 Am.
133 (c) A child shall have the opportunity to provide input on 134 H.
H.
865 Page 6 As Introduced what the child's profile includes and consent to any information 135 included in the child's profile.
865 Page 6 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee shall indicate that the child is part of a sibling group and 134 specify the number of children in the sibling group.
136 (2) The agency shall, and an attorney may, submit each 137 profile it creates to the department of children and youth's "It 138 Takes Heart" adoption initiative database.
135 (3) In creating a profile, the agency or attorney shall be 136 subject to the following requirements:
139 (C) The director of children and youth may adopt rules in 140 accordance with Chapter 119.
137 (a) A profile of a child shall not include any of the 138 following:
of the Revised Code to implement 141 this section.
139 (i) Any personally identifiable information;
142 Sec.
140 (ii) The child's medical information or information 141 regarding the child's mental, physical, or social impairment or 142 disability, including information on behavioral issues or 143 substance use;
144 (iii) A picture or video of the child.
145 (b) A child shall have the opportunity to provide input on 146 what the child's profile includes and to consent, in accordance 147 with division (B)(2) of this section, to any information 148 included in the child's profile.
149 (4) The agency shall, and an attorney may, submit each 150 profile it creates to the department of children and youth's "It 151 Takes Heart" adoption initiative database.
152 (C) The director of children and youth may adopt rules in 153 accordance with Chapter 119.
of the Revised Code to implement 154 this section.
155 Sec.
(A) Each public children services agency 143 shall report the following information to the department of 144 children and youth annually:
(A) Each public children services agency 156 shall report the following information to the department of 157 children and youth annually:
145 (1) The total number of children adopted in the previous 146 calendar year;
158 (1) The total number of children adopted in the previous 159 calendar year;
147 (2) The total number of children available for adoption;
160 Am.
148 (3) The ages of the children available for adoption;
H.
149 (4) The total number of grants awarded under the Ohio 150 adoption grant program, sorted by the amount of one-time grant 151 payments awarded under divisions (B)(1), (2), and (C) of section 152 5180.451 of the Revised Code.
153 (B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, 154 the department of children and youth shall compile a report of 155 the information received from the agencies under division (A) of 156 this section.
Not later than the fourteenth day of February of 157 each year, the department, in accordance with section 101.68 of 158 the Revised Code, shall submit to the general assembly a report 159 of the following information:
160 (1) The total number of children adopted in the previous 161 calendar year;
162 H.
865 Page 7 As Introduced (2) The total number of children available for adoption, 163 sorted by county;
865 Page 7 As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee (2) The total number of children available for adoption;
164 (3) The ages of the children available for adoption, 165 organized as a percentage of the total number of children 166 available for adoption;
161 (3) The ages of the children available for adoption.
167 (4) The total number of grants awarded under the Ohio 168 adoption grant program, sorted by the amount of one-time grant 169 payments awarded under divisions (B)(1) and (2) and (C) of 170 section 5180.451 of the Revised Code.
162 (B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, 163 the department of children and youth shall compile a report of 164 the information received from the agencies under division (A) of 165 this section.
171 (C) The department shall not publish data, including data 172 in the aggregate, if the number of children in division (B)(1), 173 (2), or (3) of this section is fewer than ten children.
Not later than the fourteenth day of February of 166 each year, the department, in accordance with section 101.68 of 167 the Revised Code, shall submit to the general assembly a report 168 of the following information:
174 Section 2.
169 (1) The total number of children adopted in the previous 170 calendar year;
That existing section 5103.17 of the Revised 175 Code is hereby repealed.
171 (2) The total number of children available for adoption, 172 sorted by county;
176
173 (3) The ages of the children available for adoption, 174 organized as a percentage of the total number of children 175 available for adoption;
176 (4) The total number of grants awarded under the Ohio 177 adoption grant program, sorted by the amount of one-time grant 178 payments awarded under divisions (B)(1) and (2) and (C) of 179 section 5180.451 of the Revised Code.
180 (C) The department shall not publish data, including data 181 in the aggregate, if the number of children in division (B)(1), 182 (2), or (3) of this section is fewer than ten children.
183 Section 2.
That existing section 5103.17 of the Revised 184 Code is hereby repealed.
185
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Action History

  1. As Reported by the House Children and Human Services Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Reported

Failed 13 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9000
Democratic 4000
Total 13000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Ashley Bryant Bailey Democratic Yea
Crystal Lett Democratic Yea
Darnell T. Brewer Democratic Yea
Karen Brownlee Democratic Yea
Andrea White Republican Yea
Gary Click Republican Yea
Jodi Salvo Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Melanie Miller Republican Yea
Phil Plummer Republican Yea
Sarah Fowler Arthur Republican Yea
Sharon A. Ray Republican Yea
Tracy M. Richardson Republican Yea

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 865 do?
To amend section 5103.17 and to enact sections 3107.018, 3107.019, 5103.171, and 5180.23 of the Revised Code regarding availability of information on and advertisement of adoptable children.
Who sponsors HB 865?
HB 865 is sponsored by Ty D. Mathews (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 865?
This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced May 12, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 865?
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