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 of Human Services 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 bill allows current or prospective providers to take legal action if they believe their rights under this subsection have been violated, with the possibility of receiving injunctive relief and attorney fees.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that while the department must prioritize placing children in stable home environments, it must also consider the moral and religious beliefs of both the child and their family of origin when determining appropriate placements. The language clarifies that the department cannot adopt any standards or policies that would preclude individuals from being considered for foster care or adoption based on their sincerely held beliefs. The definitions of gender identity and sexual orientation are aligned with existing sections of the Iowa Code.

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