Religious Adoption Agency Sues Over Nondiscriminaton Rule

A suit was filed this week in New York federal district court challenging a New York regulation that (Title 18 NYCCR Sec.421.3) that adoption agencies may not discriminate against applicants for adoption services on various grounds, including sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status.  New Hope Family Services, a faith based adoption agency, refuses to recommend or place children with unmarried couples or same-sex couples.  The complaint (full text) in New Hope Family Services, Inc. v. Poole, (ND NY, filed 12/6/2018) contends that this regulation violates the agency's free exercise, free expression and equal protection rights. ADF issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit.