Kansas Bill Updating the Kansas Adoption and Relinquishment Act (HB 2481)

As introduced, HB 2481 would make sweeping changes to the Kansas Adoption and Relinquishment Act. The bill was amended in the senate to include provisions regarding the religious beliefs of child placement agencies.

Adoption Protection Act

HB 2481 would allow child placement agencies to refuse to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer or otherwise participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of such child would violate such agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

The bill would prohibit the state from denying or revoking a license, permit or other authorization, solely due to an objection to providing any services that violate the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

The bill would prohibit the state from denying any grant or contract to a child placement agency solely due to an objection to providing any services that violate the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

Any such refusal by a child placing agency would be prohibited from forming the basis for the imposition of a civil fine or other adverse administrative action or any claim or cause of action.

The bill would require child placement agencies to describe their sincerely held religious beliefs in the agency’s organizing documents or written policies.

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If passed, child-placement agencies would be allowed to discriminate against same-sex couples or LGBTQ individuals looking to adopt.

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Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee.

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Related Legislation

Replaced by SB 284.

The “Adoption Protection Act” provision is identical to HB 2687 and SB 401.

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STATUS

Passed the house on February 22, 2018, by a 117-0 vote.

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