Bill > SB658

This bill establishes new restrictions on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding how they can treat adoptive and foster parents with respect to religious and moral beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically, DHS is prohibited from: 1) requiring parents to affirm government policies about sexual orientation or gender identity that conflict with their personal beliefs as a condition of adoption or fostering, 2) denying parents authorization to adopt or foster based on their religious or moral beliefs about sexual orientation or gender identity, and 3) establishing standards that would exclude parents from consideration for placement due to their beliefs. The bill does allow DHS to consider a child's or their family of origin's views about sexual orientation and gender identity when determining the best placement, and it maintains the requirement that placements must be in the child's best interests. The legislation will take effect on November 1, 2025, and is designed to protect adoptive and foster parents from potential discrimination based on their religious or moral perspectives regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.