Oklahoma's Republican Governor Mary Fallin signed abnill that permits religious organizations to exclude same sex couples from adoptions, angering gay rights groups, who said it was a license to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
The bill written by Republican Sen. Greg Treat provides legal protections to faith-based agencies that won't place children in LGBT homes because of religious or moral convictions or policies.
Fallin's action drew support from Oklahoma's Catholic bishops. "The new law will bring more adoption services to the state and allow crucial faith-based agencies to continue their decades-long tradition of caring for
Oklahoma's most vulnerable children," the bishops said in a statement.
Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies
Legislative Summary: SB1140: Children; prohibiting requirement for private agencies to participate in certain placements; prohibiting certain actions based on religious or moral convictions.
Human Rights Campaign analysis:
HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents,
married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18
In Oklahoma, we believe rights are endowed by God, and it is by His grace and mercy that we are fortunate enough to call ourselves Americans.
Looking at some of the policies coming out of Washington, it is easy to conclude that some lawmakers no
longer see a need for these values, for families, for the Constitution, or even for God.
I am not one of these lawmakers. My faith, my family and my love of freedom define me not just as a public servant, but as a person.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, maryfallin.org, "Issues"
, Nov 2, 2010
Efforts to redefine marriage hurt families & society
The family is the bedrock foundation of a free and healthy society. I believe we must reaffirm two fundamental values:
Value one defines what a family is... and that begins with a marriage between a man and woman. I oppose efforts to redefine marriage,
an institution that has endured and worked for thousands of years.
Value two concerns every family�s hopes for a secure future. That includes lasting reforms to eliminate the marriage penalty and implement a flatter tax code to benefit ALL families.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.maryfallin.org, �Issues�
, Nov 7, 2006
Voted NO on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees.
Congressional Summary:Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:
Rep. STEVE LYNCH (D, MA-9): This bill takes an important step toward improving the Federal Government's ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce by providing paid parental leave to Federal and Congressional employees for the birth, adoption or placement of a child for foster care, which is a benefit that is extended to many in the private sector in other industrialized countries.
Opponent's argument to vote
No:Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R, CA-49): This bill sends the wrong message at the wrong time to working American taxpayers and families that are struggling in difficult times. Our economy is in crisis, and deficits are already soaring. This bill does not have one provision to say if you make $170,000 a year, why do we have to give you this benefit, because you have to choose between feeding your children and being with your children? Certainly not. There are no protections against, in fact, those who do not need this special benefit getting it. There are no safeguards at all. As a matter of fact, this bill envisions the $1 billion over 5 years, swelling to $4 billion over 10 years or more because, in fact, they believe it should be 8 weeks of special leave. Federal employees enjoy one of the highest levels of job security, without a doubt, anywhere in the United States. I would venture to say many of them the highest. More importantly, in good times and bad, they keep their jobs.
Reference: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act;
Bill H.R.626
; vote number 2009-H310
on Jun 4, 2009