A. To the extent allowed by federal law, no private child-placing agency shall be required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies.
B. The Department of Human Services shall not deny an application for an initial license or renewal of a license or revoke the license of a private child-placing agency because of the agency's objection to performing, assisting, counseling, recommending, consenting to, referring, or participating in a placement that violates the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies.
C. A state or local government entity may not deny a private child-placing agency any grant, contract, or participation in a government program because of the agency's objection to performing, assisting, counseling, recommending, consenting to, referring, or participating in a placement that violates the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies.
D. Refusal of a private child-placing agency to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in a placement that violates the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies shall not form the basis of a civil action.
E. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a private child-placing agency shall not refuse to perform any act otherwise required by state or federal law, or authorize any act otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. The provisions of this act shall not be construed to allow a private child-placing agency to refuse any services to a child in the custody of the Department.
Added by Laws 2018, c. 322, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.