The bill amends Iowa's Code to protect the sincerely held religious or moral beliefs of child foster care providers and prospective adoptive parents regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. It prohibits the Department from requiring individuals to affirm or support policies that conflict with their beliefs and ensures that such beliefs cannot be used as a basis for disqualifying individuals from providing foster care or being considered as adoptive parents. Additionally, the Department is restricted from adopting any standards or policies that would preclude individuals based on these beliefs, while still allowing for consideration of the beliefs of the child and their family when determining appropriate placements.

Furthermore, the bill allows current or prospective foster care providers and adoptive parents to take legal action if they believe their rights under this subsection have been violated, with courts able to provide various forms of relief, including attorney fees. The definitions of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" are aligned with existing sections of the Code, ensuring clarity in the application of these terms within the context of the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 237.10, 600.7A
Reprinted: 237.10, 279.78