Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation to provide protection from discrimination for prospective foster and adoptive parents, including LGBTQ individuals.  
 

There are approximately 13,000 – 15,000 children currently in foster care in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 children are waiting to be adopted. However, historically LGBTQ individuals have been excluded as foster and adoption parents. Given the great need for placements, it is unacceptable that we continue to allow service providers to discriminate against eligible and qualified individuals who want to provide children with a good home and the support that they need. 
 

Thirty-four other states have laws protecting LGBTQ parents from discrimination in the foster care system. Pennsylvania is one of only sixteen states that have no protections. Thirty-two other states have laws which protect LGBTQ parents from discrimination when adopting. Pennsylvania is one of only eighteen states that have no protections.
  

LGBTQ people looking to start or expand their families through foster care and adoption are not the only ones who face obstacles. When it comes to parentage laws, there is a complex legal landscape that varies from state to state.
 

This bill would prohibit a service provider from denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent, or delaying or denying the placement of a child or youth for adoption or into foster care, on the basis of the real or perceived disability, race, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or any communicable disease, including HIV, of the prospective adoptive or foster parent or the child.
 

For the sake of the children waiting to be adopted and our friends and neighbors in the LGBTQ community, nondiscrimination laws are needed to protect the rights of families and allow more children the chance to find a permanent home.
 

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation to better serve children and families in Pennsylvania.