Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the Keep Kids First Act (HB 1669) last week, protecting faith-based adoption and foster care agencies from state mandates that would require them to violate their religious or moral convictions.
The law also prevents disqualification of adoptive or foster parents based on their beliefs about sexual orientation or gender identity, according to media reports. Supporters, including the Alliance Defending Freedom, say the law protects children’s well-being by ensuring more stable, loving homes remain eligible.
Meanwhile, the Kansas Legislature voted April 10 to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of the Adoption Conscience Act (HB 2311). The new law bars the state from enforcing policies that compel individuals to affirm government stances on gender identity or sexual orientation when such positions conflict with their beliefs. It also prohibits discrimination against prospective adoptive or foster parents for their religious convictions and allows legal recourse if those rights are violated.
Different viewpoints
Both laws, said ADF Senior Counsel Greg Chafuen, prioritize children over politics and protect faith-based families from discrimination. Critics like the ACLU of Arkansas and Gov. Kelly contend the laws could limit placement options and undermine child welfare by enshrining discrimination.
See related headlines below:
Ark. to allow Christian adoption, foster care groups not to place kids with same-sex couples -Christian Post
Arkansas Defends Religious Freedom in Adoption Process with New Law -Crosswalk
Arkansas & Kansas Enact Protections for Faith-Based Adoption, Foster Care -Daily Citizen/Focus on the Family
Kansas Passes Measure Protecting Christian Foster and Adoptive Parents -Decision Magazine
Arkansas enacts religious freedom protections for adoptive parents, faith-based agencies -Catholic News Agency
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This report was compiled by The Baptist Paper.
