Family
Arkansas Embraces Faith-Based Adoption Rights
In a significant victory for faith-based values and the protection of religious freedom, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed into law a groundbreaking bill that ensures Christian adoption and foster care organizations can operate in accordance with their deeply held beliefs. This new legislation, known as the Keep Kids First Act, is a beacon of hope for those who cherish traditional family values and the freedom to live out one’s faith without government interference.
The Keep Kids First Act, or House Bill 1669, was overwhelmingly supported in both chambers of the Arkansas legislature, reflecting the state’s commitment to safeguarding religious liberty. This law prohibits state officials from compelling faith-based organizations to place children in homes that contradict their religious or moral convictions.
“The state government shall not establish or enforce any per se standard, rule, or policy that precludes consideration of a current or prospective foster or pre-adoptive parent for any particular placement based in whole or in part on the person’s sincerely held religious beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity,” the bill asserts.
This legislation is a testament to the importance of allowing religious organizations to serve their communities without compromising their beliefs. It also protects adoptive and foster parents from government actions based on their refusal to support policies regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that conflict with their faith.
Supporters of the bill include the Alliance Defending Freedom, a nonprofit religious liberty law firm known for its successful advocacy before the U.S. Supreme Court. ADF Senior Counsel Greg Chafuen praised the law, stating, “Every child deserves a loving home that can provide them stability and opportunities to grow. Yet other states have put politics over people by excluding caring families and faith-based adoption and foster care organizations from helping children find loving homes.”
In contrast, critics like the Arkansas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union have voiced their opposition, arguing that the law could lead to exclusion. However, the essence of this legislation is not about exclusion but about ensuring that faith-based organizations can continue their vital work without being forced to violate their beliefs.
The debate over the intersection of religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws has been ongoing, with significant cases reaching the Supreme Court. In 2021, the Court ruled unanimously in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia that the government cannot exclude religious organizations from public programs solely because of their religious beliefs.
Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized in the court opinion, “Government fails to act neutrally when it proceeds in a manner intolerant of religious beliefs or restricts practices because of their religious nature.”
Arkansas’s new law is a step forward in the fight to preserve religious liberty and uphold the values that have long been the foundation of American society. It is a reminder that faith, family, and freedom are the cornerstones of a strong and vibrant nation.
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