Signed by Governor Bill Lee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes adoption agencies to deny potential parents based on religious exemption.

Highlights:

• Specifies that no private licensed child-placing agency shall be required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for adoption or child foster care if the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Children Services from denying or revoking a license application of a private child-placing agency because of their objection to participate in any placement of a child for adoption or child foster care if the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a state or local government entity from denying a private licensed child-placing agency any grant, contract, or participation in a government program because of the agency’s objection to participating in a placement that violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes adoption agencies to deny potential parents based on religious exemption.

Highlights:

• Specifies that no private licensed child-placing agency shall be required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for adoption or child foster care if the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Children Services from denying or revoking a license application of a private child-placing agency because of their objection to participate in any placement of a child for adoption or child foster care if the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a state or local government entity from denying a private licensed child-placing agency any grant, contract, or participation in a government program because of the agency’s objection to participating in a placement that violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text