Texas Bill Could Let Agencies Bar LGBT, Atheist, Single Parents From Adopting
The bill would allow private adoption agencies to claim “religious exemption” to working with LGBT parents or parents of another religion.
KELLY WEILL
05.07.17 6:32 PM ET
A Texas bill would give state-funded adoption agencies the right to discriminate against LGBT parents and religious minorities.
The bill, HB 3859, would allow Texas’ adoption and foster care agencies to claim religious objection to certain groups, without fear of losing state funding. The bill, touted by supporters as a victory for religious freedom, could restrict adoption and fostering opportunity for LGBT, single, or non-Christian parents, and could allow child welfare services to send foster children to anti-gay “conversion therapy.”
The bill was scheduled for a Saturday vote in Texas’s House, but an overfull schedule postponed the decision until a yet-to-be-determined date.
Most Texas adoptions are conducted through the state’s Child Protective Services department, the bill’s author, State Rep. James Frank told CBS. The bill would not allow CPS to discriminate based on religious beliefs of its employees.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/07/texas-bill-could-let-agencies-bar-lgbt-atheist-single-parents-from-adopting
