State Senator Nan Rich has introduced a new bill that would
allow judges to consider the child’s best interest when placing
her/him in a permanent home. Representative Mary Brandenburg is
sponsoring the bill in the House.
Supporters of the bill gathered in the Capitol this week – as part
of
Fair Adoption Lobby Day.
More than 3,000 children are in Florida’s foster care system –
awaiting permanent homes. The Florida
Office of Analysis and Accountability says children left in
foster care grow up more dependent upon public assistance.
With new legislation, lesbian and gay foster parents would be
allowed to adopt children if a judge rules it’s in the child’s best
interest.
According to
CBS4.com, Rich’s legislation has received support from a number
of groups including the National Council of Jewish Women, ACLU, and
Planned Parenthood.
The proposal has been assigned to a committee headed by homophobic
state Senator
Ronda Storms – who has refused to bring it up for debate or a
vote. CBS4.com reports that Storms ran for office on a pledge to
prevent gays from being foster parents.
(Crossposted at ProudParenting.com)