Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System; Withdrawal

What it does

• •Withdraws a proposed rule on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) that was originally published on January 11, 2008.
• •Removes from the Federal Register the 2008 proposal to modify state data collection and reporting requirements for children in out-of-home care and subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements.
• •Withdraws the 2008 proposed rule's implementation of AFCARS penalty requirements under the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003.

Why it matters

• •The 2008 proposed rule had remained on the Federal Register for approximately 18 years without finalization across multiple administrations, creating potential confusion about current regulatory expectations.
• •This withdrawal clarifies that no final rule will be issued based on the 2008 proposal and removes an outdated regulatory proposal from public view.

Who is affected

• •State child welfare agencies that collect and report data on children in out-of-home care, adoption, and guardianship to the federal Administration for Children and Families.
• •The public and regulated entities seeking clarity on current AFCARS regulatory requirements.

What happens next

The withdrawal is effective as of August 12, 2026, and no further rulemaking action regarding this 2008 proposal is anticipated.