Legislator compates Catholic Charities to Ku Klux Klan!

This morning, on a party line vote of 8-7, the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee approved a substitute version of HB 1932 (D-Levine), a bill we’ve been telling you about that would repeal conscience protections for faith-based child placement agencies.

The substitute version would leave certain protections in place but would specifically repeal the provision that protects faith-based agencies’ ability to contract with the state to provide services, and it would further require the faith-based agencies whose policies precluded them from approving certain applicants (e.g. some only place children with a mom and a dad, thereby precluding same-sex couples) to refer those individuals to a list of other private agencies and to send their information to the Department of Social Services. Thankfully, it would still preserve the provision of the law that allows them to maintain their license with the state - without violating their deeply held beliefs about marriage - and presumably to continue providing their valuable services without any state funds.

It appears this “compromise” was initiated by Senate Democrats who, despite their unwavering support of the LGBTQ agenda and open hostility toward religious freedom, also recognized HB 1932 in its original form would have severe consequences for the child welfare system, as it would dramatically reduce the number of families available to foster or adopt.

What was abundantly clear this morning, however, is the bill’s intent to exclude these organizations from the child welfare system because they hold traditional views about marriage.  The very thing these agencies have been doing for many decades to help children in need is now condemned as “discriminatory.” In fact, Delegate Levine (D-Alexandria), the bill’s sponsor, went so far as to say that out of the 150+ private agencies, this bill seeks to stop JUST ONE organization - which we all know to be Catholic Charities.

The entire debate provides great insight into how some Senators elevate the interests of the LGBTQ agenda above both needy children and constitutionally protected religious freedom.  We encourage you to click on the image below to watch the committee debate (fast forward to the 1:28:36 mark).

The bill will head directly to the full Senate, and will likely be voted on by Tuesday.  We’ll continue to closely monitor the bill and provide you with any updates.