OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation from Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, to recruit more foster families to serve the thousands of Oklahoma children in need of loving foster homes has become law.
Senate Bill 658 has been signed into law to ensure that eligible foster or adoptive parents aren’t excluded from consideration based solely on their deeply held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual identity or gender orientation. The bill also restates the Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ obligation to determine placements based on what’s in the best interest of each child.
“Some prospective foster or adoptive parents may have sincere religious or moral beliefs that make them an unsuitable match for children dealing with sexual orientation or gender identity issues,” Daniels said. “That doesn’t mean they can’t provide a safe, loving home for other children in need. DHS can look out for the best interests of each child without shrinking the pool of foster parents.”
Daniels said some states have disqualified prospective foster or adoptive parents based on these beliefs, forcing them to take legal action against the state. Most lawsuits have been decided in favor of the parents. Oklahoma doesn’t have such a policy, but she emphasized the importance of the legislature making sure that doesn’t change.
SB 658 also requires DHS to consider the perspective of the child and their biological family when making a placement.
“The state is absolutely obligated to make decisions based on the best interests of the child,” Daniels said. “That does not change. I applaud DHS for working to ensure foster parents are successful by thoughtfully matching them with children who are the right fit.”
Senate Bill 658 was authored in the House by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont.
“We have approximately 450 children in Oklahoma in need of loving foster care parents,” Crosswhite Hader said. “This bill simply assures otherwise qualified candidates are not overlooked because of their deeply held religious or moral beliefs as we have seen happen in other states. We want to make sure more families are included in the pool of potential foster care families, and this act will do that. I’m grateful to Senator Daniels for her compassionate work on this issue and to the governor for signing it into law. ”
This act takes effect Nov. 1.
For more information, contact: Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels at (405) 521-5634 or email [email protected] or Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader at (405) 557-7321.
