There is national concern for the estimated 100,000 "special needs" children who are not quickly adopted because of age, race, ethnic background, sibling relationship, medical condition, or physical, mental or emotional handicaps. That concern has been translated into concrete recommendations in the form of a model act written by the Department of Health and Human Services. This document reproduces the original text of the model act along with extensive comments. The model act is not law or a federal regulation and only presents recommendations to the states for adding to their existing adoption laws. While some provisions are applicable to all adoptions, others are relevant only to the adoption of children with special needs. Key recommendations include: financial assistance to families who adopt special needs children; expanding the legal grounds for freeing children for adoption; requiring a state adoption administration to focus on the special needs children waiting for adoption; guaranteeing that people interested in adopting a special needs child get a "family assessment"; providing a full genetic and medical history to adoptive parents; considering the wishes of de facto parents and special needs children in decisions about adoption; and penalizing anyone who leaks confidential information pertaining to an adoption. (CB)