CAP Law Reform Projects

International Adoption Issues

Legal and Medical Experts to Testify Before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Support of International Adoption 

For full details about the hearing, including the press release, written testimony,  and recording of the hearing, click here.

Campaign to Support Child Rights and International Adoption - May 2009

CAP recently launched a Campaign to enlist endorsements for the International Adoption Policy Statement.  For more, click here.

International Adoption Policy Statement and Supporting Report endorsed by:

• The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, May 2008
• Harvard Law School Child Advocacy Program, May 2008
• The Center for Adoption Policy, June 2008
• National Council for Adoption, April 2009
• University of San Diego Children's Advocacy Institute, May 2009
• University of San Francisco - School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic, May 2009

American Bar Association Recommendation on International Adoption, adopted by House of Delegates August 11, 2008, and Supporting Report

Response to Donaldson Institute's Call to Amend MEPA - June 2008

CAP Faculty Director Elizabeth Bartholet traveled to Washington D.C. to deliver remarks at a Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Briefing on June 10, 2008. Prof. Bartholet responded to the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute's call to amend the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA). The full text of Prof. Bartholet's remarks, where she explains why the current formulation of MEPA which prohibits using race as a factor in placement decisions is the right approach, can be downloaded here: Response to Donaldson Institute Report.

First CAP Amicus Brief Filed - November 2007

CAP has filed its first amicus brief, in a case asking the NY Court of Appeals to grant review of a decision below which created deeply problematic standards limiting the State's ability to intervene to protect children against abuse and neglect. CAP's brief supports the state child protection agency, the Saratoga County Department of Social Services, and was written by CAP Faculty Director Elizabeth Bartholet with the help of CAP students Julianne Johnston and Grace Spulak.