HB0149

Prohibits governmental entities from taking discriminatory actions against adoption and foster care providers and parents based on sincerely held religious beliefs.

• Establishes legislative findings regarding the benefits of maximizing adoption and foster care providers, the constitutional right to free exercise of religion, and the importance of protecting faith-based child placement agencies. (Section 1)
• Defines key terms including 'adoption or foster care' (covering recruitment, placement, licensing, home studies, and related services), 'governmental entity' (state agencies, political subdivisions, universities, cities, towns, counties), 'religious organization' (houses of worship, religious groups, clergy), and 'state benefit program' (grants, contracts, loans, assistance). (W.S. 14-1-301)
• Prohibits governmental entities from taking discriminatory action against persons who advertise, provide or facilitate adoption or foster care based on sincerely held religious beliefs, or against adoptive and foster parents based on religious beliefs in guiding or raising children. (W.S. 14-1-302(a))
• Forbids governmental entities from altering tax treatment, denying tax deductions, withholding grants or contracts, denying state benefits, imposing fines or penalties, revoking licenses or certifications, or taking adverse employment actions against persons protected under the article because of sincerely held religious beliefs. (W.S. 14-1-302(b))
• Requires governmental entities to accredit, license or certify adoptive or foster care parents who would otherwise qualify but for a determination based on sincerely held religious beliefs. (W.S. 14-1-302(c))
• Requires governmental entities to consider persons for adoption or foster care contracts, grants or agreements if they would otherwise be considered but for a determination based on sincerely held religious beliefs. (W.S. 14-1-302(d))
• Allows any person to assert a violation of the article as a claim or defense in judicial or administrative proceedings without exhausting remedies under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. (W.S. 14-1-303(a), W.S. 14-1-303(b))