A new international adoption agreement called The Hague Convention will go into effect next year in the United States. It will strengthen the rules for international adoptions, and though it could make international adoptions more complicated, many are saying this treaty is a good thing.

"'The Hague Convention is the gold standard for adoption,' said Marshall Williams... 'It outlaws child buying and sets certain standards for adoption agencies and certain education standards families must complete.'"

The educational standards for families include a basic course on adoption, and information on their soon-to-be child and his or her birth country.

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