The Texas House will take a vote on Saturday, May 6, 2017 on HB 3859 by Rep. James Frank. The proposed bill would allow child welfare organizations, agencies and employees that contract with the state to discriminate against LGBTQ families and others when making foster care and adoption decisions.
Rush a message to your representative and tell them to oppose HB 3859!
The only consideration for a child welfare agency, organization, and its employees should always be the best interests of the child – not advancing the interests or beliefs of a state contractor. HB 3859 would allow the religious beliefs of child-placing agencies to be placed above the needs of our most vulnerable children. That could jeopardize the health and well-being of children in our system.
HB 3859 is clearly intended to permit individuals and organizations to use their religious beliefs to discriminate against LGBTQ families and children. The proposed legislation would also allow state contractors and providers to discriminate against single or divorced people, interfaith couples, as well as people of different religious faiths or denominations. This is morally wrong and legally problematic.
Take action and urge your representative to stop this discriminatory bill today!
Sincerely,
Chuck Smith
CEO Equality Texas