Governor Snyder Signs Religious Adoption Package

Governor Snyder signed House Bill 4188, HB 4189, and HB 4190, allowing adoption agencies to deny services based on deeply held religious beliefs, sparking significant praise and opposition from various groups on Thursday. The bills codify the current policy of the Department of Health and Human Services. Many Democratic groups and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community reacted in outrage, while the Michigan Catholic Conference joined various Republican groups in vocally supporting the signing of the bills.

Mr. Snyder’s spokesperson, Dave Murray, and many Republican supporters stated that the threat of faith based adoption agencies, who place 25-30 percent of children, closing their doors was real as they were faced with the choice of closing or violating their religious beliefs. Mr. Murray also stated that the added provision, which requires agencies to provide information on other agencies to anyone denied services, was key in the legislation receiving the Governor’s signature.

Following the bill signing the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan stated that they had begun searching for plaintiffs to sue over the legislation; however, they did not say whether the suit would take place in state or federal courts. Various LGBT groups argued that the new laws were discriminatory, as agencies could now legally refuse to serve them due to their sexual orientation.

Democrats who opposed the bill attacked the Governor, as they argued that the bill is no different in its discriminatory practices than the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Mr. Snyder said he would not sign without expanding the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act to the LGBT community first. Mr. Murray countered their argument, stating that the new laws were different, as they require the agencies to refer those that they refuse to different adoption agencies.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 12, 2015 10:06 AM
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