CEC Leaders Slam Trump Admin’s Rescission of Rule Guaranteeing Safe Foster Placements

July 14, 2026
Press Release

CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano: “Rescinding this rule without putting forward an alternative to protect LGBTQI+ foster children puts children at risk, plain and simple.”

Washington, DC — After the Trump Administration officially rescinded a Biden-era rule designed to provide meaningful access to safe and affirming placements for LGBTQI+ youth in foster care, Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) and Co-Chair Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) released the following statements:

“Every child in foster care—including LGBTQI+ children—deserves a safe home, which is exactly what the Biden Administration sought to accomplish with this rule,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Rescinding this rule without putting forward an alternative to protect LGBTQI+ foster children puts children at risk, plain and simple. I’m thankful to the leadership of Equality Caucus Co-Chair Angie Craig in this fight—together, we’re going to keep working to protect young LGBTQI+ children in foster care from harassment and abuse."

“The ‘party of family values’ strikes again and their relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ youth continue,” said Rep. Angie Craig, Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “The Trump Administration’s decision to rescind this rule with no clear alternative is yet another disgraceful attack on LGBTQ+ foster youth and on families across this country. As an adoptive mother myself, I won’t stop fighting to ensure that foster youth have the chance to land in a safe and supportive home.”

BACKGROUND
In 2024, the Biden Administration issued a final rule (the “Designated Placement Rule”) that required child welfare agencies to ensure LGBTQI+ children had knowledge of and access to specially designated placements that were properly prepared to meet the needs of these children in a supportive environment. The Designated Placement Rule, among other provisions, laid out specific requirements for these designated placements, carefully tailored notification requirements for LGBTQI+ children, and training requirements for these agencies. It also required agencies to ensure these children had access to age and developmentally appropriate services to support their needs.

The rule was vacated by a federal judge in June of 2025 after the Trump Administration filed a joint motion with the Plaintiffs in the case requesting the rule be vacated. On July 14, 2026, the Trump Administration officially rescinded the rule.

In April 2026, CEC Co-Chair Craig—with Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07), sponsor of the John Lewis Every Child Deserves A Family Act, Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), and CEC Vice Chairs Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)—led a letter opposing the proposed rescission of the rule “Designated Placement Requirements Under Titles IV-E and IV-B for LGBTQI+ Children.” Read their press release here.