The Associated Press
Friday, Oct. 6, 2000; 6:35 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON –– President Clinton signed into law the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 Friday, which implements an international treaty on foreign adoptions.

The United States signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption in 1994. The treaty was designed to set guidelines for international adoptions and restrict child trafficking and fraud.

"Adoption is an emotional event," Clinton said. "With the complexities of international law and procedures, these cases are often overwhelming for the families involved. The Hague Convention and the implementing legislation will provide protections for children and parents engaged in intercountry adoption and will help ensure a standard of service that all families deserve."

The convention was negotiated by the United States and 65 other countries in response to abuses in international adoption. The Senate ratified it on Sept. 20.

Supporters have said international guidelines on adoptions are needed to ease and streamline the process as well as prevent abuses such as misrepresentation of a child's medical condition.

More than 15,000 international adoptions are expected to take place this year. Most of the children adopted in the United States will come from China.