Tennessee lawmakers started off their annual session by passing a controversial new bill prohibiting faith-based adoption agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples.
As reported by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the bill passed the Republican-led Senate last year with a 20-6 vote and was handed to Republican Governor Bill Lee, who is likely to sign it.
“To the extent allowed by federal law, 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 foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies,” the bill reads.
Nashville-based Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention pushed for the legislation.
“This was a high priority,” tweeted ERLC. “We engaged on this bill because it was based on the principle of freedom for anyone to help children; the freedom for faith-based organizations, like the [Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home] to keep doing their good work consistent with their principles.”
In other states, adoption agencies have been forced to shut down because legislation required allowance of same-sex couples, according to Sen. Paul Rose, who introduced the bill.
“This bill does not restrict any rights to place a…
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