Florida Conscience Protection for Actions of Private Child-Placing Agencies (H 7111)

H 7111 would prohibit the state from requiring a private child-placing agency to place a child or be involved in the placement of a child or facilitate the licensure of a foster home which would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.

The bill would prohibit the Department of Children and Families from taking actions related to licensure based on the agency’s refusal to place a child or be involved in the placement of a child or facilitate the licensure of a foster home which violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.

The state would be prohibited from withholding a grant, contract, or participation in a government program from a licensed private child-placing agency, or from a family foster home or residential child-caring agency affiliated with such a private child-placing agency, because of their refusal of the private to participate in the placement of a child or to facilitate the licensure of a family foster home which violates the agency’s religious beliefs.

The bill states that any refusal by a child-placing agency due to religious or moral beliefs would not constitute discrimination.

STATUS

Introduced by the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee and the House of Delegates Health and Human Services Committee.

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