Florida Bishops Speak out on Conscience Protection for Private Child-Placing Agencies
April 7, 2015 • Diocese of St. Augustine

UPDATE (4/9/2015)

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) applauds today’s passage of HB 7111, Conscience Protection for Private Child-Placing Agencies, by the Florida House of Representatives.

As noted in earlier debate in the House, FCCB echoes, “HB 7111 is a shield, not a sword.” This legislation preserves the freedom of religious organizations to place Florida’s children in need of adoption with loving families while adding no new barriers to the adoption process for any qualified Florida residents.

The religious beliefs that this bill seeks to protect arise from the same deeply-held convictions that have prompted people of faith to serve the neediest of Florida’s children for decades. Conscience protections prohibit discrimination of religious adoption agencies by the State and recognize and respect their freedom to serve. “Today’s passage of HB 7111 gives encouragement that the longstanding good work by people of faith to unite children with families through adoption and foster care will continue,” said Michael Sheedy, executive director.

The FCCB commends the Florida House of Representatives for passage of HB 7111 and lauds Chairman Brodeur for championing critical conscience protections. The Florida Senate is urged to take up this measure and ensure the freedom to serve for private child-placing agencies.


 

The following is a statement from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops on HB 7111, Conscience Protection for Private Child-Placing Agencies, passed April 2, 2015 by the Florida House Judiciary Committee:

FCClogoHB 7111 filed by the House Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee and Rep. Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) establishes conscience protections for adoption agencies in Florida.

This proposed legislation preserves the status quo with respect to agencies currently placing children for adoption. It adds no new barriers to adoption and foster care placement, but ensures that licensed entities that have served the best interests of Florida’s children for decades may continue to operate into the future.

For instance, agencies that establish policies to prefer placement with married couples should be protected. Agencies that give preference to placing children in homes with both a mother and a father should be able to do so. The measure does not prevent adoption by otherwise qualified adults who can and do work with other agencies today.

In an environment that is increasingly intolerant of the exercise of religious principles and beliefs, the bill preserves the freedom of religious organizations to place Florida’s children in need of adoption with loving families. We are grateful to the HHS Committee and Rep. Brodeur for advancing this important legislation.

For more information, contact Michael Sheedy, executive director at (850) 205-6824 or email msheedy@flacathconf.org

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is an agency of the Catholic Bishops of Florida. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy and serves as liaison to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The archbishop and bishops of the seven (arch)dioceses in Florida constitute its board of directors.