97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB2495

 

Introduced 10/12/2011, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
750 ILCS 75/65 new

    Amends the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Provides that a child welfare agency that is religiously based or owned by, operated by, or affiliated with a bona fide religious organization may decline an adoption or foster family home application, including any related licensure and placement, from a party to a civil union if acceptance of that application would constitute a violation of the organization's sincerely held religious beliefs and, if an agency declines an application, it must provide the applicant with information on how to contact the Department of Children and Family Services to obtain information concerning other regional licensed child welfare agencies. Effective immediately.


LRB097 13464 AJO 58173 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2495LRB097 13464 AJO 58173 b

1    AN ACT concerning civil law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and
5Civil Union Act is amended by adding Section 65 as follows:
 
6    (750 ILCS 75/65 new)
7    Sec. 65. Religious child welfare agencies. A child welfare
8agency that is religiously based or owned by, operated by, or
9affiliated with a bona fide religious organization may decline
10an adoption or foster family home application, including any
11related licensure and placement, from a party to a civil union
12if acceptance of that application would constitute a violation
13of the organization's sincerely held religious beliefs. If an
14agency declines an application pursuant to this Section, then
15it must provide the applicant with information on how to
16contact the Department of Children and Family Services to
17obtain information concerning other regional licensed child
18welfare agencies.
 
19    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
20becoming law.