Bill > SF473

This bill modifies Iowa's laws regarding foster care and adoption to protect the religious and moral beliefs of foster care providers and prospective adoptive parents. Specifically, the bill prevents the Iowa Department of Human Services from requiring foster care providers or prospective adoptive parents to affirm, accept, or support policies related to sexual orientation or gender identity that conflict with their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs. The department cannot disqualify or preclude individuals from being foster care providers or adoptive parents based on their religious or moral beliefs about sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill allows providers or prospective parents to sue for injunctive or declaratory relief if they believe their rights have been violated, and the attorney general can also bring enforcement actions. When determining child placements, the department must still consider the best interests of the child, including comparing the religious and moral beliefs of the child's family of origin with those of potential foster or adoptive parents. The bill uses definitions of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" from existing Iowa law, ensuring that foster care providers and adoptive parents cannot be penalized for maintaining beliefs that may differ from a child's or their family's perspectives on these issues.

Justice

Health And Human Services (S)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF473