---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 679a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "679a"
heading: "National Adoption Information Clearinghouse"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/679a"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services"
  - "Part E — Federal Payments for Foster Care, Prevention, and Permanency"
---

# §679a. National Adoption Information Clearinghouse


The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) of Health and Human Services shall establish, either directly or by [grant](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=10) or contract, a National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse shall—

- (1) collect, compile, and maintain information obtained from available research, studies, and reports by public and private [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1), institutions, or individuals concerning all aspects of infant adoption and adoption of children with special needs;
- (2) compile, maintain, and periodically revise directories of information concerning—
  - (A) crisis pregnancy centers,
  - (B) shelters and residences for pregnant women,
  - (C) training programs on adoption,
  - (D) educational programs on adoption,
  - (E) licensed adoption [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1),
  - (F) [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) laws relating to adoption,
  - (G) intercountry adoption, and
  - (H) any other information relating to adoption for pregnant women, infertile couples, adoptive [parents](/usc/42/675.md?p=2), unmarried individuals who want to adopt children, individuals who have been adopted, birth [parents](/usc/42/675.md?p=2) who have placed a [child](/usc/42/675.md?p=8-A) for adoption, adoption [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1), [social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) workers, counselors, or other individuals who work in the adoption field;
- (3) disseminate the information compiled and maintained pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#1) and the directories compiled and maintained pursuant to [paragraph (2)](#2); and
- (4) upon the establishment of an adoption and foster care data collection system pursuant to [section 679 of this title](/usc/42/679.md), disseminate the data and information made available through that system.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9442, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2073.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and also as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.