The Oklahoma Legislature has passed SB 658, a bill recently signed into law by the Governor, that allows foster and adoptive families to decline to support policies related to sexual orientation and gender identity if those policies conflict with their religious or moral beliefs.
According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives release, under the new law, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services cannot require foster or adoptive parents to affirm or accept a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity if it conflicts with the parents’ sincerely held convictions.
Critics of the bill, including House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, expressed concern that the law may limit the availability of affirming homes for LGBTQ+ foster youth. In a statement released by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Munson said, “I am extremely disappointed in the signing of SB 658 which allows foster families to reject foster children based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Adults should be able to love every child no matter what and be able to provide them a safe, happy, and supportive environment. Instead, this legislation allows adults to deny children of support and love. It allows adults to not act like adults. It sends the message that not every child is worthy of being enough or wanted, and puts that into statute."
The passage of SB 658 has prompted responses from both supporters and opponents. Supporters cite religious freedom protections, while opponents raise concerns about the law’s impact on LGBTQ+ children in the foster care system. The long-term implications of the legislation for foster placements are yet to be determined.
