Discriminatory SB1140 makes it out of House Judiciary Committee, with a catch

The Gayly graphic.

By Jordan Redman
Staff Writer

An amended version of SB 1140, a bill that would allow religious-based adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples, single people and non-Christians has passed in the Oklahoma House Judiciary Committee.

The bill passed with 13 yeas and 6 nays.

Representative Leslie Osborn introduced an amendment this morning, which passed. The amendment introduced was to deny state and federal funding to any agency that discriminates.

"To the extent allowed by federal law, no private 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," Section one of SB 1140. Read the full bill here.

Republican Sen. Greg Treat sponsored the bill and said it would protect that practice from potential lawsuits.

Child welfare organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Child Welfare League of America and the North American Council on Adoptable Children have condemned similar bills.

The bill is now on its way to the House floor.

The Gayly. April 11, 2018. 11:00 a.m. CST.