Religious freedom is a fundamental value, but it does not permit government-funded providers to discriminate against the children and families they are supposed to serve.

“This law does a great disservice to kids in care. Those children deserve loving, stable homes, and providing them should be Kansas’ first priority. Senate Bill 284 works against that principle by allowing state-funded agencies to turn away prospective parents – in the name of religion – because they’re a same-sex couple, interfaith, previously divorced or the ‘wrong religion.’ This law is indefensible," said AU President and CEO Rachel Laser.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on May 11 signed into law a bill that gives taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies a green light to use religion to discriminate against prospective parents.