Bill > HB655

This bill prohibits state government from taking discriminatory actions against adoption or foster care service providers based on their religious beliefs. The bill defines key terms such as "adoption or foster care services" (which includes activities like recruiting foster parents, placing children, and providing family support services) and "discriminatory action" (which encompasses a wide range of potential government penalties like altering tax treatment, denying grants, or taking adverse employment actions). Under the bill, state government cannot penalize or disadvantage a person or organization that provides adoption or foster care services according to their sincerely held religious beliefs, including their ability to decline services or maintain policies consistent with those beliefs. The bill allows people to sue the state government within two years if they believe they have experienced discrimination, with potential remedies including declaratory relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees. Importantly, the bill is designed to provide broad protection for religious free exercise, and it explicitly states that it does not repeal or narrow existing protections for religious beliefs. The legislation aims to ensure that faith-based and other child-placing agencies can continue to provide services without fear of government retaliation, with the ultimate goal of maintaining a diverse and robust network of adoption and foster care providers to help children find safe, loving homes.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2955