Iowa House Passes Bill on Foster, Adoptive Parents' Beliefs

The fire, the vote, the triumph — when it happens, Decorah News shows up. Support us being there. Republican state lawmakers said a bill passed by the Iowa House Monday will increase Iowa's pool of foster and adoptive parents — but Democrats argued the bill could put LGBTQ+ youth at risk. The House passed Senate File 473 in a 58-34 vote Monday, a measure prohibiting the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services from precluding prospective parents from consideration for licensing or qualification to foster or adopt a child on the basis of their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure includes language that a person's "intent to guide, instruct, or raise a child in a manner consistent with the person's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs" cannot be a reason to rule out a person as a potential parent, nor can their decision not to "affirm, accept, or support a policy related to sexual orientation or gender identity" that conflicts with their beliefs. Several Democrats said the measure would put LGBTQ+ youth who are in the foster care system in harm's way. Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, read from the Foster Parent Handbook published in 2023, which states "foster parents must respect the right to religious freedom and culture of children in their care by demonstrating respect for the child's culture, religious background, and affiliation." This meant foster parents are required to respect cultural clothing and hairstyles, provide children with the option to attend religious services of their choosing, not require participation in religious observations contrary to their wishes or the wishes of their parents — as well as "respecting the child's sexual orientation and gender identity, regardless of personal beliefs." The legislation "tilts the balance away from children and toward the fostering adults," Wessel-Kroeschell said, by limiting the state's ability to ensure children are placed in appropriate environments. "This bill forces us to answer a simple question: When there is a conflict between the beliefs of an adult and the needs of a child in foster care, who do we prioritize?" Wessel-Kroeschell said. "This bill prioritizes the adult. I prioritize the needs of the child. The best interest of the child must be first and foremost, not a second mention." Rep. Craig Williams, R-Manning, floor manager for the language, pointed to the language in the measure stating DHHS retains the ability to consider a child and their family of origin's moral and religious beliefs when determining an appropriate placement. "This bill does not require the state to place a child in a home that is not in the child's best interest," Williams said. "The state retains full discretion to evaluate each placement individually, and ensure that the needs of every child are met." Another measure passed by the House this session, House File 2557, also would make changes to language on how a parent's beliefs regarding their child's gender identity is considered under state law. This bill proposes adding exemptions to the definitions of "child abuse" and "child endangerment," stating a parent cannot be considered abusive or be removed from foster parent licensing, adoption or custody proceedings based on their "intent to raise, guide or instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child's sex." The bill, which Democrats said could legalize the discredited practice of conversion therapy, passed the House in March and is available for consideration in the Senate. Williams and other Republicans have argued both this earlier bill, as well as the measure discussed Monday, are needed because more individuals — particularly those with Christian beliefs — will be willing to become foster and adoptive parents, as the process would not force them to take actions in conflict with their religious beliefs if they do not accept LGBTQ+ identities. But Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, disputed this argument, pointing to testimony from Chuck Hurley with the Family Leader, a conservative Christian organization, who supported the bill and spoke on his family's experience fostering 15 children. "In a companion bill on this topic earlier in the session, the proponents of this legislation spoke about fear that they're being denied the ability to be foster parents because of their sincerely held beliefs on gender identity and sexual orientation," Wichtendahl said. "But those same families — including a lobbyist for the Family Leader — confirmed in the testimony that even in expressing those beliefs, they are still foster parents. They are not being denied because of their religious beliefs on those topics. So either one of two things must be true — either one, this is a messaging bill, which fundamentally changes nothing, or two, this bill is designed to bring people into the foster care system who choose to impose their beliefs through coercion upon the children in the foster care system, in a manner that supersedes the rights and beliefs of the foster child." Wichtendahl also said the provision requiring a child or their family's beliefs to be taken into account during placements may not help LGBTQ+ youth, as the disputes or safety concerns with their family of origin may have been caused by their family rejecting their identity. But Williams said lawmakers have heard from individuals who felt they were precluded or rejected from the foster care or adoptive process due to their religious beliefs. "If that discrimination's not happening, as some have suggested, then this bill should change nothing," Williams said. "Agencies in the state will already be operating exactly as this bill requires. But if it is happening, even occasionally, then we should all agree it must stop." The measure, amended with some clarifying language changes, moves back to the Senate for further consideration. Be the first to know! Sign up for the free newsletter and unlock exclusive updates, breaking news, and tips from around the community.