Legal Definitions - Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994

The Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994, also known as MEPA, is a law that aims to make the adoption process fairer for children of all races and ethnicities. MEPA has three main goals:

1. To reduce the amount of time that children wait to be adopted
2. To find adoptive and foster parents who can meet the needs of children who are available for adoption
3. To eliminate discrimination in adoption based on the race, color, or national origin of the child or the adoptive parents

For example, if a child of African American descent is available for adoption, MEPA ensures that the child is not discriminated against and can be adopted by a family of any race or ethnicity who can provide a loving and stable home. Similarly, if a family of Asian descent wants to adopt a child of Caucasian descent, MEPA ensures that the family is not discriminated against and can be considered as potential adoptive parents.