Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services doesn't take stances on legislation but has some concerns about Rep. Sally Kern’s bill allowing child welfare providers to discriminate based on religious or moral convictions.
Spokeswoman Sheree Powell wondered if it’s possible a provider would sue DHS if they didn’t meet performance goals in their contracts even if it’s because they denied placements based on their beliefs.
"And is it possible that some individuals who were refused services by one of our contract providers would then sue the department for that and hold us responsible because DHS holds the contract?" Powell said.
House Bill 2428 prevents DHS from refusing a contract with a provider following a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction laid out in their mission statement. It's been labeled as anti-LGBT and sparked concern gay parents will have a tougher time adopting children.
Powell doesn't envision HB2428 will cause a drop off in adoptions, because parents don’t have to use placement agencies.
"We do not discriminate against anyone," Powell said. "As long as someone passes a background check, they pass their home study, they complete their training, then they can adopt a child through DHS."
Powell does worry, however, about the bill making DHS look bad when it needs foster families.
"I don't want the public to have that viewpoint. DHS welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to foster and adopt in Oklahoma," Powell said.
Kern, an Oklahoma City Republican, chairs the Family, Youth and Children's Services committee, which passed the bill on a 5–2 vote this week. She is term-limited this year.
