The proposed bill aims to enhance protections for adoption and foster care providers, particularly those operating based on sincerely held religious beliefs. It establishes that no governmental entity may discriminate against individuals or organizations involved in adoption or foster care services based on their religious beliefs. This includes prohibiting adverse actions such as altering tax treatment, denying state benefits, or taking employment-related actions against those who provide or seek to provide these services in alignment with their faith. The bill also outlines that individuals asserting violations of these protections can seek various forms of relief, including compensatory damages and attorney fees.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a diverse range of adoption and foster care agencies, including faith-based organizations, to ensure that children in need can find suitable placements. It includes definitions for key terms such as "governmental entity" and "religious organization," and it clarifies that protections under this bill are supplementary to existing federal and state laws. The bill also amends existing statutes to incorporate these new provisions and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-39-104