LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — With Nebraska's ban on gay foster parents no longer in place, Christian placement agencies say they might be forced to choose between their religious beliefs and state funding.
A legislative committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill that would shield those agencies from state retaliation if they refuse to license gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender foster parents on religious principle.
Christian placement agencies say the measure would protect their right to continue offering support services to a specific religious demographic without fear of losing state contracts.
But opponents say the sweeping religious exemption opens the system to broad discrimination and hinders the state's ability to find homes for more than 3,000 foster children.
The bill is LB975.
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