Adoption bill passes committee; moves to Senate floor
A proposed bill could potentially impact Oklahoma's adoption system. The lawmaker behind it said it will make sure children are joining the right families, but some are worried it will end up hurting the children instead.
OKLHAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A proposed bill could potentially impact Oklahoma's adoption system. The lawmaker behind it says the bill will make sure children are joining the right families, but some are worried it will end up hurting the children instead.
Senator Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, describes SB 1677 as a way to include all families eligible for adoption or fostering regardless of their beliefs.
"We have a great need for foster and adoptive parents in Oklahoma. My bill only wants to make sure that we don't exclude qualified people from becoming adoptive or foster parents based on their tightly held religious beliefs, on sexual orientation and gender identity," said Daniels..
It also explains that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services would consider the beliefs of a child when determining the family they'll join.
"The state has an absolute obligation under the law to look first after the best interests of the child, and that includes a child who identifies as gay or is going through some transition or their families----what their family's position is on those issues," said Senator Daniels R-Bartlesville.
However, on the opposite side of the aisle, some are concerned about what could happen to a child's wellbeing if they're placed in the wrong home.
"Really is just a concern that we would be potentially prioritizing the parents rights over the best interests of the child if a child was placed in a non affirming household. I think that that poses a great risk to the child safety and long term ability to thrive," said State Senator Carrie Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.
The bill passed in committee on Thursday with a vote of 9-1. Senator Hicks was the only no vote.
"I want to make sure that whatever language we are using when we're looking at this very specific and very personal decision to adopt an individual does not put that child at risk," said Hicks.
The bill will now move to the Senate floor.