Senate OKs bill to ban gay adoptive, foster parents (AR Senate approves ban 20-7)

Arkansas News Bureau ^

[Princip. Conservative]

LITTLE ROCK - Legislation to ban gays and unmarried couples who live together from adopting children and serving as foster parents passed the Senate on Tuesday, along with a proposed renewal of a $575 million interstate highway bond program.

-- SNIP --

Senate Bill 959 by Sen. Shawn Womack, R-Mountain Home, is a legislative response to a June 2006 state Supreme Court decision upholding a lower court ruling that struck down a state regulation that banned gays from serving as foster parents.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Timothy Fox ruled in December 2004 that the state Child Welfare Review Board overstepped authority granted by the Legislature in considering morality among criteria for prospective foster parents.

No state law bans private adoptions regardless of sexual orientation. Before Fox's ruling, prospective parents had to meet the same requirements as prospective foster parents - no gays allowed - to adopt through the state program. Since Fox's ruling, the state no longer inquires about a prospective parent's sexual orientation.

-- SNIP --

The bill passed 20-7. However, it failed to get the 24 votes necessary to pass an emergency clause that would make the bill effective immediately upon being signed into law by the governor. Womack said he would try again to pass the emergency clause.

Legislation adopted without an emergency clause or an effective date written to the measure takes effect 90 days after the formal end of a legislative session.

[Princip. Conservative]

Well, a gay adoption ban passing 20-7 in a Democratic-controlled Arkansas Senate ain't that bad. To be honest with you, I must say that the homosexual agenda hasn't been faring too well in the United States in recent years.

I sure hope the Arkansas House does the right thing and passes this sensible legislation, too.

[RadioAstronomer]

and unmarried couples who live together

What a jackass who proposed this one. I know many unmarried couples who would make great foster parents.

[BritExPatInFla]

Good thing they passed this too, since there are so many more qualified parents than there are adoptees. The waiting lists for adopting/fostering kids in state custody are staggering.
[/sarc]

I guess group homes and orphanages are 'wholesome enough' place to raise these kids.

[AbeKrieger]

I know many unmarried couples who would make great foster parents.

This makes the law "discrimination-proof" because it doesn't target gays only.

[RadioAstronomer]

Indeed. I have a single freind who takes in foster kids that fall thru the cracks. Too bad it would shut her off as well. Idiotic law from an idiot.

[keats5]

"I know many unmarried couples who would make great foster parents."

These kids need commitment. If the parents can't commit to each other, how can they commit to being a parental "couple" to a child? Do we just assume that it's fine if they want to split up? It's hard enough bouncing kids between divorced couples, but at least those couples started with the intent to stay together. These kids don't need another heartbreak.

Now, on the other hand, I have no problem with a single person making a commitment to a kid. I have a huge problem with that single person living with a lover while the kid's in the home.

I know it's not PC to say this, but living together outside of marriage is just as sinful in the eyes of God as homosexuality.

[VxH]

[I know many unmarried couples who would make great foster parents.]

Let them raise a dog if they want a pet.

Whether some folks like it or not, Marriage is a foundational element of our society.

[RadioAstronomer]

Ah yes. Every kid in foster care who has ever been put into a married home had the perfect life.

Yup that's the ticket.

Hmmm... Better make it illegal for unmarried folks to not get preggers. And for divorced folks? - Sterilization!

Wow, you opened my eyes!

[VxH]

[Ah yes. Every kid in foster care who has ever been put into a married home had the perfect life.]

Not perfect, just stable.

The purpose of marriage, IMHO, is to create a stable environment for raising children.

Increased stability = increased fitness.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Stability+Fitness++Primate+Populations

[RadioAstronomer]

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one.