Yesterday, the Kansas legislature overrode Governor Laura Kelly's veto of House Bill 2311, the Adoption Conscience Act (full text). The new law provides in part:
(a) The secretary for children and families shall not adopt, implement or enforce a policy for selection as an out-of-home or adoptive placement or ... licensure...that:
(1) Requires a person to affirm, accept or support any governmental policy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that may conflict with the person's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs; or
(2) prohibits selection, appointment or licensure, if otherwise eligible, of a person because of such person's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity or intent to guide or instruct a child consistent with such beliefs.
(b) This section shall not be construed to:
(1) Prohibit the secretary from considering the religious or moral beliefs of a child or the child's biological family or community, including, but not limited to, beliefs regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, in relation to the religious or moral beliefs of a person selected or being considered for placement....
The Federalist and an ADF issued a press release discuss the Bill.
