2015 House Bill 4188: Let adoption agencies refuse adoptions that violate moral convictionsPublic Act 53 of 2015
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine R-Richmond on February 13, 2015
To specify in statute that a “child placing agency” (private adoption agency or foster care service) is not required to assist or participate in an adoption or placement that violates its written religious or moral convictions, including adoptions of a child by a homosexual. Also, to prohibit a state agency from discriminating or taking an “adverse action” against an adoption agency for this reason.
Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee on February 13, 2015
Reported in the House on March 4, 2015
Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Substitute offered by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine R-Richmond on March 17, 2015
To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright D-Muskegon on March 17, 2015
To permit state and local officials to refuse a child placement and take an "adverse action" against a faith-based adoption if they judge that the placement is not "in the best interests of the child".
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin D-Ann Arbor on March 17, 2015
To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4133, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4133 would provide for “second parent adoption” in Michigan law, whichy allows a party in a same-sex relationship to adopt his or her partner's biological or adoptive child without terminating the other party’s legal status as a parent.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin D-Ann Arbor on March 17, 2015
To require the written statements of religious or moral convictions the bill specifies must be available to the public on request.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Frank Liberati D-Allen Park on March 17, 2015
To add language stating that an agency exercising the choice the bill would sanction must comply with the state's Elliott-Larsen civil rights law.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Kosowski D-Westland on March 17, 2015
To require an agency that refused to participate in a child placement to not only refer the applicant to an agency willing to participate (already in the bill) but also provide a list of such agencies.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Alberta Tinsley Talabi D-Detroit on March 17, 2015
To require an agency exercising its rights of conscience as authorized by the bill to also post on its website and its offices the circumstances under which it will refuse to participate in a child placement.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 17, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Sam Singh D-East Lansing on March 18, 2015
To establish that if enacted the bill will go into effect 90 days afterwards.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 18, 2015
Received in the Senate on March 19, 2015
Referred to the Senate Families, Seniors & Human Services Committee on March 19, 2015
Reported in the Senate on April 28, 2015
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Amendment offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren D-Ann Arbor on June 10, 2015
To permit state and local officials to refuse a child placement the bill would otherwise permit and take an "adverse action" against a faith-based adoption if they judge that the placement is not "in the best interests of the child".
Amendment offered by Sen. Jim Ananich D-Flint on June 10, 2015
To not permit child placing agencies that received more than $500,000 from the state last year to refuse placements that violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Amendment offered by Sen. Bert Johnson D-Highland Park on June 10, 2015
To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4133, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4133 would provide for “second parent adoption” in Michigan law, whichy allows a party in a same-sex relationship to adopt his or her partner's biological or adoptive child without terminating the other party’s legal status as a parent.
Amendment offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren D-Ann Arbor on June 10, 2015
To require child placing agencies to place on their websites an explanation of the circumstances that would cause them to decline to provide a service.
Amendment offered by Sen. David Knezek D-Dearborn Heights on June 10, 2015
To require a child placement agency affected by the proposal to make its written policy and statement of faith publically available upon request.
Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory D-Lathrup Village on June 10, 2015
To require an agency affected by the bill to make disclose to the state before entering a placement contract the circumstances that would cause them to decline to provide a service.
Amendment offered by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood D-Taylor on June 10, 2015
To add language stating that an agency exercising the choice the bill would sanction must comply with the state's Elliott-Larsen civil rights law. The sponsor of the amendment has also cosponsored a bill that would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to that law, which if enacted without an explicit exception would create a conflict with the law this bill proposes.
Amendment offered by Sen. Coleman Young, II D-Detroit on June 10, 2015
To add language stating that an agency exercising the choice the bill would sanction must comply with the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Received in the House on June 10, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Wittenberg D-Oak Park on June 10, 2015
To require an agency affected by the bill to make disclose to the state before entering a placement contract the circumstances that would cause them to decline to provide a service.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 10, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Wittenberg D-Oak Park on June 10, 2015
To require a child placement agency affected by the proposal to make its written policy and statement of faith publically available upon request.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 10, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Wittenberg D-Oak Park on June 10, 2015
To require child placing agencies to place on their websites an explanation of the circumstances that would cause them to decline to provide a service.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 10, 2015
Amendment offered by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright D-Muskegon on June 10, 2015
To permit state and local officials to refuse a child placement the bill would otherwise permit and take an "adverse action" against a faith-based adoption if they judge that the placement is not "in the best interests of the child".
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 10, 2015
To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.
Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on June 11, 2015