On Tuesday, the Alabama legislature gave final passage to HB 24, the Alabama Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act (full text). The bill protects religiously affiliated adoption and foster care agencies that refuse to provide, facilitate or refer for placement in a manner that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. The protections only apply to agencies that receive no state or federal funds. The state may not refuse to license, discriminate or take adverse action against such agencies because they act on their religious beliefs. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey who must sign it before it becomes law. AL.com reports on the legislature's action. [Thanks to Tom Rutledge for the lead.]
UPDATE: Gov. Ivey signed the bill into law on May 3. (Jurist).
