Tennessee would be prohibited from denying someone’s efforts to foster or adopt as a result of their religious or moral views on sexual orientation or gender identity, under a proposed law.
Criticized by some as contrary to the best interests of LGBTQ+ youth in Tennessee custody, Senate Bill 1738 passed early this month on first consideration in the state Senate. The sponsor, state Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, said the bill is a preemptive measure to protect religious freedom.
On Thursday, Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, introduced a companion bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
By phone, Rose said the bill was not a response to a Biden administration proposal for new requirements in how LGBTQ+ youth in state foster care systems get placed. (The September proposal has been assailed as contrary to religious liberty by the Tennessee attorney general and the policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.)