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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
On Thursday, Governor Bill Lee signed a measure that will enact the “Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act,” designed to protect the religious freedoms of families within the state.
The Act will prohibit the Department of Children’s Services from requiring potential foster or adoptive families to support policies concerning sexual orientation or gender identity that may conflict with their beliefs.
Senate sponsor Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale/Tipton/Shelby-District 32) and House sponsor Representative Mary Littleton (R-Dickson-District 78) have stated that the intention of the legislation is to ensure that children end up in the best possible placement while also protecting potential foster and adoptive parents from being denied the opportunity to have any children placed in their home.
The measure will expand the pool of available families in the state, helping lessen the struggle of finding homes for Tennessee’s increasing number of children being placed in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services.
Democrats arguing against the legislation claimed it was “cruel” and was simply a way to use religion as an excuse for discrimination.
Littleton has responded that Tennessee should have an availability of “diverse” foster and adoptive homes, including those with varying faiths and beliefs.
HB2169/SB1738 will be assigned a public chapter number and will go into effect on July 1.
