39578 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

In September 2018, we received a 

completed SSA–142 Report of Social 

Insurance or Pension System, submitted 

by the Ministry of Labour and Social 

Protection of Mongolia. 

We conducted a thorough review to 

reach the finding we describe here. 

Section 202(t)(2) Exception 

Section 202(t)(2) of the Act provides 

that the prohibition of payment shall 

not apply to individuals who are 

citizens of a foreign country that the 

Commissioner of Social Security finds 

has a social insurance or pension system 

that is in effect and of general 

application in such country, and that: 

(A) pays periodic benefits, or the 

actuarial equivalent thereof, on account 

of old age, retirement, or death; and 

(B) permits individuals who are U.S. 

citizens but not citizens of that country 

and who qualify for benefits to receive 

those benefits, or the actuarial 

equivalent thereof, while outside the 

foreign country regardless of the 

duration of the absence. 

We find that Mongolia does not meet 

all of the required criteria of section 

202(t)(2) of the Act because, although it 

has a social insurance system that is in 

effect, is of general application, and 

meets the conditions in subparagraph 

(A), the social insurance system does 

not meet the conditions in subparagraph 

(B). 

Section 202(t)(4) Exception 

The ANP exceptions provided in 

section 202(t)(4) subparagraphs (A) and 

(B) shall not apply to a citizen of a 

foreign country that has a social 

insurance or pension system in effect 

and of general application, which 

satisfies section 202(t)(2)(A), but not 

section 202(t)(2)(B). 

Therefore, the ANP exceptions in 

section 202(t)(4)(A) and (B) do not apply 

to citizens of Mongolia due to the above 

finding under section 202(t)(2). 

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program Nos. 96.001, Social Security— 

Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social 

Security—Retirement Insurance; and 96.004, 

Social Security—Survivors Insurance) 

The Acting Commissioner of the 

Social Security Administration, Kilolo 

Kijakazi, Ph.D., M.S.W., having 

reviewed and approved this document, 

is delegating the authority to 

electronically sign this document to 

Faye I. Lipsky, who is the primary 

Federal Register Liaison for SSA, for 

purposes of publication in the Federal 

Register. 

Faye I. Lipsky, 

Federal Register Liaison, Office of Legislation 

and Congressional Affairs, Social Security 

Administration. 

[FR Doc. 2022–14098 Filed 6–30–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4191–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

[Public Notice 11773] 

Memorandum of Agreement Between 

the U.S. Department of State Bureau of 

Consular Affairs and Intercountry 

Adoption Accreditation and 

Maintenance Entity, Inc 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Department of State (the 

Department) is the lead Federal agency 

for implementation of the 1993 Hague 

Convention on Protection of Children 

and Co-operation in Respect of 

Intercountry Adoption (the Convention), 

the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 

(IAA), and the Intercountry Adoption 

Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 

(UAA). Among other things, the IAA 

and UAA give the Secretary of State 

responsibility, by entering into 

agreements with one or more qualified 

entities and designating such entities as 

accrediting entities, for the accreditation 

of agencies and approval of persons to 

provide adoption services in 

intercountry adoptions. This notice is to 

inform the public that on June 2, 2022, 

the Department entered into a renewed 

agreement with Intercountry Adoption 

Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, 

Inc. (IAAME), designating IAAME as an 

accrediting entity (AE) for five years. 

The text of the Memorandum of 

Agreement is included in its entirety at 

the end of this Notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marisa Light (202) 485–6024, 

Adoption@state.gov. Hearing or speechimpaired persons may use the 

Telecommunications Devices for the 

Deaf (TDD) by contacting the Federal 

Information Relay Service at 1–800– 

877–8339. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Department, pursuant to section 202(a) 

of the IAA, must enter into an 

agreement with at least one qualified 

entity and designate it as an accrediting 

entity. Accrediting entities may be (1) 

nonprofit private entities with expertise 

in developing and administering 

standards for entities providing child 

welfare services; or (2) state adoption 

licensing bodies that have expertise in 

developing and administering standards 

for entities providing child welfare 

services and that accredit only agencies 

located in that state. Both nonprofit 

accrediting entities and state accrediting 

entities must meet any other criteria that 

the Department may by regulation 

establish. IAAME is a nonprofit private 

entity with expertise in developing and 

administering standards for entities 

providing child welfare services. 

The final rule on accreditation of 

agencies and approval of persons (22 

CFR part 96) was originally published in 

the Federal Register (71 FR 8064–8066, 

February 15, 2006) and became effective 

on March 17, 2006. The final rule 

establishes the regulatory framework for 

the accreditation and approval function 

and provides the standards that the 

designated accrediting entities will 

follow in accrediting or approving 

adoption service providers. Under the 

UAA, adoption service providers 

working with prospective adoptive 

parents in non-Convention adoption 

cases need to comply with the same 

accreditation requirement and standards 

that apply in Convention adoption 

cases. 

Angela M Kerwin, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas 

Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs 

(CA/OCS), U.S. Department of State. 

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF 

STATE BUREAU OF CONSULAR 

AFFAIRS AND INTERCOUNTRY 

ADOPTION ACCREDITATION AND 

MAINTENANCE ENTITY, INC. 

Parties & Purpose of the Agreement 

The Department of State, Bureau of 

Consular Affairs (Department), and 

Intercountry Adoption Accreditation 

and Maintenance Entity, Inc. (IAAME), 

with its principal office located at 5950 

NW 1st Place, Suite 300, Gainesville, FL 

32607, hereinafter the ‘‘Parties,’’ are 

entering into this agreement for the 

purpose of designating Intercountry 

Adoption Accreditation and 

Maintenance Entity, Inc. (IAAME) as an 

accrediting entity under the 

Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 

(IAA), Public Law 106–279, and 22 CFR 

part 96. 

Authorities 

The Department enters into this 

agreement pursuant to Sections 202 and 

204 of the IAA, 22 CFR part 96, and 

Delegation of Authority 261. IAAME has 

full authority to enter into this MOA 

under the authorization of IAAME’s 

Board of Directors. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39579 

Definitions 

For purposes of this memorandum of 

agreement, terms used here that are 

defined in 22 CFR 96.2 shall have the 

same meaning as they have in 22 CFR 

96.2. 

The Parties AGREE AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Designation of the Accrediting Entity 

The Department hereby designates 

IAAME as an accrediting entity and 

thereby authorizes it to accredit 

agencies and approve persons to 

provide adoption services in 

intercountry adoption cases, in 

accordance with the procedures and 

standards set forth in 22 CFR part 96, 

and to perform all of the accrediting 

entity functions set forth in 22 CFR 

96.7(a). 

Article 2 

Responsibilities of the Accrediting 

Entity 

(1) IAAME agrees to perform all 

accrediting entity functions set forth in 

22 CFR 96.7(a) and to perform its 

functions in accordance with the 

Convention, the IAA, the Intercountry 

Adoption Universal Accreditation Act 

of 2012 (UAA), Public Law 112–276, 

Part 96 of 22 CFR, and any other 

applicable regulations, and as 

additionally specified in this agreement. 

In performing these functions, IAAME 

will operate consistent with Department 

of State policies and written directives 

regarding U.S. obligations under the 

Convention and regarding the functions 

and responsibilities of an accrediting 

entity under the IAA, UAA, and any 

other applicable regulations. 

(2) IAAME agrees to perform such 

functions described in paragraph (1) 

over adoption service providers whose 

primary office is within its geographical 

jurisdiction, as assigned by the 

Department. Jurisdiction will be 

assigned on the basis of the primary 

office: 

a. As reported by the adoption service 

provider to the accrediting entity for 

inclusion in the public adoption service 

provider directory as of the date this 

agreement is signed by both parties; or 

b. In the case of adoption service 

providers not accredited or approved as 

of the date this agreement is signed by 

both parties, the primary office 

indicated in the initial application for 

accreditation or approval. 

Any change of primary office or 

identification of other primary office by 

an adoption service provider after the 

date of signature of this agreement will 

not affect the assignment of jurisdiction. 

(3) IAAME will develop and utilize a 

Department-approved transition plan to 

accommodate any necessary transfer of 

work and records between designated 

AEs operating in jurisdictions not 

assigned to IAAME. 

(4) IAAME will take appropriate 

staffing, funding, and other measures to 

allow it to carry out all required 

accrediting entity functions and 

responsibilities, and will use the 

Adoptions Tracking System and the 

Complaint Registry (ATS/CR) as 

directed by the Department, including 

by updating required data fields in a 

timely fashion. IAAME is permitted to 

additionally use an independent data 

collection system of its choice 

consistent with 22 CFR 96.7(a)(7) and 

with Department authorization, 

provided that the use of independent 

data collection system does not 

adversely affect IAAME’s submission of 

the required data to the Department 

using ATS and ATS/CR. 

(5) In carrying out its accrediting 

entity functions, IAAME will: 

(a) make decisions on accreditation 

and approval in accordance with the 

procedures set forth in 22 CFR part 96 

and using only the standards in subpart 

F of 22 CFR part 96 and the substantial 

compliance weighting system approved 

by the Department pursuant to 

paragraph 4, Article 3 below; 

(b) charge applicants for accreditation 

or approval only fees approved by the 

Department pursuant to paragraph 3, 

Article 3 below; 

(c) review complaints, including 

complaints regarding conduct alleged to 

have occurred outside the United States, 

in accordance with subpart J of 22 CFR 

part 96 and additional procedures 

approved by the Department pursuant to 

paragraphs 2 (c) and 2 (d) in Article 3, 

below. IAAME will exercise its 

discretion in determining which 

methods are most appropriate to review 

complaints regarding conduct alleged to 

have occurred outside the United States, 

which may, when appropriate, include 

referring a complaint or other 

information relating to possible civil or 

criminal violation of IAA section 404 or 

other possible criminal activity to the 

Department and/or other appropriate 

law enforcement authorities for 

potential investigation; 

(d) take adverse actions against 

accredited agencies and approved 

persons in accordance with subpart K of 

22 CFR part 96, and cooperate with the 

Department in any case in which the 

Department considers exercising its 

adverse action authorities because the 

accrediting entity has failed or refused 

after consultation with the Department 

to take what the Department considers 

to be appropriate enforcement action; 

(e) assume full responsibility for 

defending adverse actions in court 

proceedings, if challenged by the 

adoption service provider or the 

adoption service provider’s board or 

officers; 

(f) refer an adoption service provider 

to the Department for debarment if it 

concludes after review that the adoption 

service provider’s conduct meets the 

standards for action by the Secretary set 

out in 22 CFR 96.85; 

(g) promptly report changes in the 

accreditation or approval status of an 

adoption service provider to the 

Department and the relevant state 

licensing authority; 

(h) maintain and use only the 

procedures approved by the Department 

and those procedures presented to the 

Department pursuant to Article 3 of this 

agreement whenever they apply; 

(i) consult with the Department, when 

needed, to solicit greater clarity 

regarding the meaning of relevant laws 

and regulations; and 

(j) at the Department’s request, share 

information with the Department to 

assist the Department in carrying out its 

responsibilities. 

Article 3 

Training, Procedures, and Fees 

(1) Accreditation Materials and 

Training: In coordination with the 

Department and any other designated 

accrediting entities, IAAME will: 

(a) maintain forms, training materials, 

and evaluation practices; 

(b) conduct or assist in conducting or 

participate in any training sessions; 

(c) develop and maintain resources to 

assist applicants for accreditation and 

approval in understanding the 

accreditation and approval process and 

the steps needed to demonstrate the 

agency or person has achieved 

substantial compliance with the 

applicable standards. 

(2) Procedures: IAAME will maintain 

procedures approved by the Department 

and update these, subject to the 

Department’s approval, as needed: 

(a) to evaluate whether a candidate for 

accreditation meets the applicable 

eligibility requirements set forth in 22 

CFR part 96; 

(b) to carry out its monitoring duties; 

(c) to review complaints referred to it 

through the Complaint Registry or act 

on information received directly from 

the Department; 

(d) to review complaints that it 

receives about its own actions as an 

accrediting entity for adoption service 

providers; 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
39580 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

(e) to make public the disclosures 

required by 22 CFR 96.91; 

(f) to ensure the reasonableness of 

charges for the travel and maintenance 

of its site evaluators, such as for travel, 

meals, and accommodations, which 

charges shall be in addition to the fees 

charged under 22 CFR 96.8; and 

(g) to implement and terminate 

adverse actions. 

(3) Fee Schedule: 

(a) IAAME will maintain a fee 

schedule for accreditation and approval 

services that meets the requirements of 

22 CFR 96, and update these, subject to 

approval by the Department. Fees will 

be set based on the principle of 

recovering no more than the full cost, as 

defined in OMB Circular A–25 

paragraph 6(d)(1), of accreditation and 

approval services. IAAME will maintain 

a fee schedule developed using this 

methodology together with 

comprehensive documentation, and will 

provide justification of the proposed 

fees to the Department for the 

Department’s approval. 

(b) The approved fee schedule can be 

amended with the approval of the 

Department. 

(4) Substantial Compliance Weighting 

Systems: 

(a) IAAME will maintain and update 

a substantial compliance weighting 

system as described in 22 CFR 96 and 

as approved by the Department. 

(b) In maintaining the systems 

described in paragraph (a) of this 

section, IAAME will coordinate with 

any other accrediting entities, and 

consult with the Department to ensure 

consistency between the systems used 

by accrediting entities. These systems 

can be amended with the approval of 

the Department. 

Article 4 

Data Collection, Reporting and Records 

(1) Adoptions Tracking System/ 

Complaint Registry (ATS/CR): 

(a) IAAME will maintain and fund a 

computer and internet connection for 

use with the ATS/CR that meets system 

requirements set by the Department; 

(b) The Department will provide 

software or access tokens needed by 

individuals for secure access to the 

ATS/CR and facilitate any necessary 

training for use of the ATS/CR. 

(2) Annual Report: IAAME will report 

on dates agreed upon by the Parties, in 

a mutually agreed upon format, the 

information required in 22 CFR 96.93 as 

provided in that section through ATS/ 

CR. 

(3) Additional Reporting: IAAME will 

provide any additional status reports or 

data as required by the Department, and 

in a mutually agreed upon format. 

(4) Accrediting Entity Records: 

IAAME will retain all records related to 

its accreditation functions and 

responsibilities in printed or electronic 

form in accordance with the electronic 

recordkeeping policy that applies to 

Federal acquisition contracts under 

Federal Acquisition Regulation 4.703 for 

a minimum of 3 years after the 

termination of IAAME’s designation as 

an accrediting entity, or until any 

litigation, claim, or audit related to the 

records filed or noticed within its 

period of designation is finally 

terminated, whichever is later. IAAME 

will be responsible for providing access 

to and transferring records necessary for 

another accrediting entity to perform its 

responsibilities and exercise jurisdiction 

over adoption service providers 

previously under the jurisdiction of 

IAAME. 

Article 5 

Department Oversight and Monitoring 

(1) To facilitate oversight and 

monitoring by the Department, IAAME 

will: 

(a) provide copies of its forms and 

other materials to the Department and 

give Department personnel the 

opportunity to observe any training 

sessions; 

(b) allow the Department to inspect all 

records relating to its accreditation 

functions and responsibilities and 

provide to the Department copies of 

such records as requested or required 

for oversight, including to evaluate 

renewal or maintenance of the 

accrediting entity’s designation, and for 

purposes of transferring adoption 

service providers to another accrediting 

entity; 

(c) submit to the Department by a date 

agreed upon by the Parties an annual 

declaration signed by the President and 

Chief Executive Officer confirming that 

IAAME is complying with the IAA, 

UAA, 22 CFR part 96, any other 

applicable regulations, and this 

agreement in carrying out its functions 

and responsibilities; 

(d) make appropriate senior-level 

officers available to attend any meetings 

with the Department upon request; 

(e) immediately report to the 

Department events that have a 

significant impact on its ability to 

perform its functions and 

responsibilities as an accrediting entity, 

including financial difficulties, changes 

in key personnel or other staffing issues, 

legal or disciplinary actions against the 

organization, and conflicts of interest; 

(f) notify the Department of any 

requests for information relating to its 

role as an accrediting entity under the 

IAA and UAA or Department functions 

or responsibilities that it receives from 

Central Authorities of other countries 

that are party to the Convention, or any 

other competent authority (except for 

routine requests concerning 

accreditation, or approval status or other 

information publicly available under 

subpart M of Part 96), and consult with 

the Department before releasing such 

information; 

(g) consult immediately with the 

Department about any issue or event 

that may affect compliance with the 

IAA, UAA, or U.S. compliance with 

obligations under the Convention. 

(2) Departmental Approval 

Procedures: In all instances in which 

the Department must approve a policy, 

system, fee schedule, or procedure 

before IAAME can bring it into effect or 

amend it, IAAME will submit the 

policy, system, fee schedule, or 

procedure or amendment in writing to 

the Department via email. Formal 

approval by the Department will be 

conveyed in writing by the Deputy 

Assistant Secretary for Overseas 

Citizens Services or her or his designee. 

(3) Suspension or Cancellation: When 

the Department is considering 

suspension or cancellation of IAAME’s 

designation: 

(a) the Department will notify IAAME 

in writing of the identified deficiencies 

in its performance and the time period 

in which the Department expects 

correction of the deficiencies; 

(b) IAAME will respond in writing to 

either explain the actions that it has 

taken or plans to take to correct the 

deficiencies or to demonstrate that the 

Department’s concerns are unwarranted 

within 10 business days or by another 

date mutually agreed upon by the 

Department and IAAME; 

(c) upon request, the Department also 

will meet with the accrediting entity 

virtually or in person; 

d) if the Department, in its sole 

discretion, is not satisfied with the 

actions or explanation of IAAME, it will 

notify IAAME in writing of its decision 

to suspend or cancel IAAME’s 

designation and this agreement; 

(e) IAAME will stop or suspend its 

actions as an accrediting entity as 

directed by the Department in the notice 

of suspension or cancellation, and 

cooperate with any Departmental 

instructions in order to transfer 

adoption service providers it accredits 

or approves to another accrediting 

entity, including by transferring fees 

collected by IAAME for services not yet 

performed. 

(4) IAAME will follow its Departmentapproved procedures for reviewing 

complaints against IAAME received by 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39581 

the Department or referred to the 

Department because the complainant 

was not satisfied with IAAME’s 

resolution of the complaint. These 

complaint procedures may be 

incorporated into the Department’s 

general procedures for handling 

instances in which the Department is 

considering whether a deficiency in the 

accrediting entity’s performance may 

warrant suspension or cancellation of its 

designation. 

Article 6 

Other Issues Agreed By the Parties 

(1) Conflict of Interest Provisions: 

(a) IAAME shall disclose to the 

Department the name of any 

organization of which it is a member 

that also has as members intercountry 

adoption service providers. IAAME 

shall demonstrate to the Department 

that it has procedures in place to 

prevent any such membership from 

influencing its actions as an accrediting 

entity and shall maintain and use these 

procedures. 

(b) IAAME shall identify for the 

Department all members of its board of 

directors or other governing body, 

employees, attorneys, and consultants 

who have a professional or personal 

affiliation with any adoption service 

providers, or of membership 

organizations who have adoption 

service providers as members, or who 

represent adoption service providers, or 

who provide legal advice or services in 

intercountry adoption. IAAME shall 

demonstrate it has procedures in place 

to ensure that any such relationships 

will not influence any accreditation or 

approval decisions, and shall maintain 

and use these procedures. 

(c) IAAME shall disclose to the 

Department any other situation or 

circumstance that may create the 

appearance of a conflict of interest. 

(2) Liability: IAAME agrees to 

maintain sufficient resources to defend 

challenges to its actions as an 

accrediting entity, including by 

maintaining liability insurance for its 

actions as an accrediting entity brought 

by agencies and/or persons seeking to be 

accredited or approved or who are 

accredited or approved, and to inform 

the Department immediately of any 

events that may affect its ability to 

defend itself (e.g., change in or loss of 

insurance coverage, change in relevant 

state law). IAAME agrees that it will 

consult with the Department 

immediately if it becomes aware of any 

other legal proceedings related to its 

acts as an accrediting entity, or of any 

legal proceedings not related to its acts 

as an accrediting entity that may 

threaten its ability to continue to 

function as an accrediting entity. 

(3) Privacy and Data Protection: 

IAAME agrees to take appropriate steps 

to ensure that all documents and 

information it receives about adoption 

service providers are safeguarded 

against unauthorized disclosure 

consistent with 22 CFR 96.26 (a). 

IAAME shall maintain internal policies 

and procedures designed to ensure the 

integrity and security of the data 

collected, handled, or stored in 

connection with its functions as an 

accrediting entity. IAAME agrees not to 

share or disclose any non-public 

information, including Department of 

State visa records protected under 

section 222(f) of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202(f)), 

shared with it by the Department, 

without prior authorization from the 

Department. IAAME agrees to promptly 

notify the Department in any cases 

where it knows or believes that an 

unauthorized disclosure has taken 

place. 

Article 7 

Liaison Between the Department and 

the Accrediting Entity 

(1) IAAME’s principal point of contact 

for communications relating to its 

functions and duties as an accrediting 

entity will be the Executive Director, or 

his or her designate. The Department’s 

principal point of contact for 

communication is the Chief of the 

Adoptions Oversight Division, or his or 

her designate. 

(2) The parties will keep each other 

currently informed in writing of the 

names and contact information for their 

principal points of contact. As of the 

signing of this Agreement, the 

respective principal points of contact 

are as set forth in Attachment 1. 

(3) IAAME acknowledges that 

information shared with the Department 

is subject to disclosure as required by 

U.S. law and regulations, to the extent 

that such information appears within an 

agency record as defined by 5 U.S.C. 

552, et seq, is subject to the Freedom of 

Information Act (FOIA). IAAME may 

not withhold required information from 

the Department for the purpose of 

avoiding potential public disclosure 

pursuant to FOIA. 

Article 8 

Certifications and Assurances 

(1) IAAME certifies that it will 

comply with all requirements of 

applicable State and Federal law. 

Article 9 

Agreement, Scope, and Period of 

Performance 

(1) Scope: 

(a) This agreement is not intended to 

have any effect on any activities of 

IAAME that are not related to its 

functions as an accrediting entity for 

adoption service providers providing 

adoption services in intercountry 

adoptions. 

(b) Nothing in this agreement shall be 

deemed to be a commitment or 

obligation to provide any Federal funds. 

(c) All accrediting entity functions 

and responsibilities authorized by this 

agreement are to occur only during the 

duration of this agreement. 

(d) Nothing in this agreement shall 

release IAAME from any legal 

requirements or responsibilities 

imposed on the accrediting entity by the 

IAA, UAA, 22 CFR part 96, or any other 

applicable laws or regulations. 

(2) Continuation of responsibilities: 

IAAME’s responsibilities under this 

agreement will continue subject to 

determination by the Department of 

jurisdictional boundaries between 

IAAME and any other designated 

accrediting entity. 

(3) Duration: IAAME’s designation as 

an accrediting entity and this agreement 

shall remain in effect for five years from 

signature, unless terminated earlier by 

the Department in conjunction with the 

suspension or cancellation of the 

designation of IAAME. The Parties may 

agree mutually in writing to extend the 

designation of the accrediting entity and 

the duration of this agreement. If either 

Party does not wish to renew the 

agreement, it must provide written 

notice no less than one year prior to the 

termination date, and the Parties will 

consult to establish a mutually agreed 

schedule to transfer adoption service 

providers to another accrediting entity, 

including by transferring a reasonable 

allocation of collected fees for the 

remainder of the accreditation or 

approval period of such adoption 

service providers. 

(4) Changed Circumstances: If 

unforeseen circumstances arise that will 

render IAAME unable to continue to 

perform its duties as an Accrediting 

Entity, IAAME will immediately inform 

the Department of State. The Parties will 

consult and make reasonable efforts to 

find a solution that will enable IAAME 

to continue to perform until the end of 

the contract period. If no such solution 

can be reached, the contract may be 

terminated on a mutually agreed date or, 

if mutual agreement cannot be reached, 

on not less than 14 months written 

notice from IAAME. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
39582 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

(5) Severability: To the extent that the 

Department determines, within its 

reasonable discretion, that any 

provision of this agreement is 

inconsistent with the Convention, the 

IAA, the UAA, the regulations 

implementing the IAA and UAA, or any 

other provision of law, that provision of 

the agreement shall be considered null 

and void and the remainder of the 

agreement shall continue in full force 

and effect as if the offending portion 

had not been a part of it. 

(6) Entirety of Agreement: This 

agreement is the entire agreement of the 

Parties and may be modified only upon 

written agreement of the Parties. 

Dated: May 27, 2022, 

Rena Bitter, 

Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, U.S. 

Department of State 

Dated: June 2, 2022, 

Stephen Pennypacker, 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and 

Maintenance, Inc. 

[FR Doc. 2022–14104 Filed 6–30–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4710–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

[Public Notice 11772] 

Memorandum of Agreement Between 

the U.S. Department of State Bureau of 

Consular Affairs and Center for 

Excellence in Adoption Services 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Department of State (the 

Department) is the lead Federal agency 

for implementation of the 1993 Hague 

Convention on Protection of Children 

and Co-operation in Respect of 

Intercountry Adoption (the Convention), 

the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 

(IAA), and the Intercountry Adoption 

Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 

(UAA). Among other things, the IAA 

and UAA give the Secretary of State 

responsibility, by entering into 

agreements with one or more qualified 

entities and designating such entities as 

accrediting entities, for the accreditation 

of agencies and approval of persons to 

provide adoption services in 

intercountry adoptions. This notice is to 

inform the public that on June 2, 2022, 

the Department entered into an 

agreement with Center for Excellence in 

Adoption Services (CEAS), designating 

CEAS as an accrediting entity (AE) for 

five years. 

The text of the Memorandum of 

Agreement is included in its entirety at 

the end of this Notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marisa Light (202) 485–6024, 

Adoption@state.gov. Hearing or speechimpaired persons may use the 

Telecommunications Devices for the 

Deaf (TDD) by contacting the Federal 

Information Relay Service at 1–800– 

877–8339. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Department, pursuant to section 202(a) 

of the IAA, must enter into an 

agreement with at least one qualified 

entity and designate it as an accrediting 

entity. Accrediting entities may be (1) 

nonprofit private entities with expertise 

in developing and administering 

standards for entities providing child 

welfare services; or (2) state adoption 

licensing bodies that have expertise in 

developing and administering standards 

for entities providing child welfare 

services and that accredit only agencies 

located in that state. Both nonprofit 

accrediting entities and state accrediting 

entities must meet any other criteria that 

the Department may by regulation 

establish. IAAME is a nonprofit private 

entity with expertise in developing and 

administering standards for entities 

providing child welfare services. 

The final rule on accreditation of 

agencies and approval of persons (22 

CFR part 96) was originally published in 

the Federal Register (71 FR 8064–8066, 

February 15, 2006) and became effective 

on March 17, 2006. The final rule 

establishes the regulatory framework for 

the accreditation and approval function 

and provides the standards that the 

designated accrediting entities will 

follow in accrediting or approving 

adoption service providers. Under the 

UAA, adoption service providers 

working with prospective adoptive 

parents in non-Convention adoption 

cases need to comply with the same 

accreditation requirement and standards 

that apply in Convention adoption 

cases. 

Angela M Kerwin, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas 

Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs 

(CA/OCS), U.S. Department of State. 

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF 

STATE BUREAU OF CONSULAR 

AFFAIRS AND CENTER FOR 

EXCELLENCE IN ADOPTION 

SERVICES 

Parties & Purpose of the Agreement 

The Department of State, Bureau of 

Consular Affairs (Department), and 

Center for Excellence in Adoption 

Services (CEAS), with its principal 

office located at 800 Westchester 

Avenue, Suite 641 North, Rye Brook NY 

10573, hereinafter the ‘‘Parties,’’ are 

entering into this agreement for the 

purpose of designating Center for 

Excellence in Adoption Services (CEAS) 

as an accrediting entity under the 

Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 

(IAA), Public Law 106–279, and 22 CFR 

part 96. 

Authorities 

The Department enters into this 

agreement pursuant to Sections 202 and 

204 of the IAA, 22 CFR part 96, and 

Delegation of Authority 261. CEAS has 

full authority to enter into this MOA 

under the authorization of CEAS’s 

Board of Directors. 

Definitions 

For purposes of this memorandum of 

agreement, terms used here that are 

defined in 22 CFR 96.2 shall have the 

same meaning as they have in 22 CFR 

96.2. 

The Parties AGREE AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Designation of the Accrediting Entity 

The Department hereby designates 

CEAS as an accrediting entity and 

thereby authorizes it to accredit 

agencies and approve persons to 

provide adoption services in 

intercountry adoption cases, in 

accordance with the procedures and 

standards set forth in 22 CFR part 96, 

and to perform all of the accrediting 

entity functions set forth in 22 CFR 

96.7(a). 

Article 2 

Responsibilities of the Accrediting 

Entity 

(1) CEAS agrees to perform all 

accrediting entity functions set forth in 

22 CFR 96.7(a) and to perform its 

functions in accordance with the 

Convention, the IAA, the Intercountry 

Adoption Universal Accreditation Act 

of 2012 (UAA), Public Law 112–276, 

Part 96 of 22 CFR, and any other 

applicable regulations, and as 

additionally specified in this agreement. 

In performing these functions, CEAS 

will operate consistent with Department 

of State policies and written directives 

regarding U.S. obligations under the 

Convention and regarding the functions 

and responsibilities of an accrediting 

entity under the IAA, UAA, and any 

other applicable regulations. 

(2) CEAS agrees to perform such 

functions described in paragraph (1) 

over adoption service providers whose 

primary office is within its geographical 

jurisdiction, as assigned by the 

Department. Jurisdiction will be 

assigned on the basis of the primary 

office: 


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