Family Equality closely tracks legislative developments in the nation’s capital that could impact LGBTQ families.
On this page, we highlight some key bills we are currently watching.
Legislation Family Equality SUPPORTS:
Every Child Deserves a Family Act
The Every Child Deserves a Family (ECDF) Act focuses attention on the best interests of children in the foster care system. By eliminating state laws, policies, practices and procedures that exclude potential adoptive and foster parents because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status this bill will dramatically increase access to permanent, loving homes for children living in foster care.
Equality Act
The Equality Act, when passed, will provide LGBTQ people and our families with comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federal funding, access to credit and jury service.
Do No Harm Act
The Do No Harm Act would limit the ability of institutions and individuals to use the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to avoid complying with federal non-discrimination laws and other laws regulating wages and compensation, child labor, health care services, and other services. Passing the Do No Harm Act would restore RFRA to its original intent while making clear that it cannot be used to harm others.
Legislation Family Equality OPPOSES:
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act / Aderholt Amendment
On July 11, 2018, a House Committee added an amendment to the House Appropriations Bill that funds the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for FY2019. This “Aderholt amendment” mirrors the language in the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, and if passed, would allow taxpayer-funded child placing agencies to deny needed services and discriminate against children in their care, as well as prospective foster or adoptive parents, based on the agency or provider’s religious beliefs, as well as allowing service providers to turn away qualified adoptive and foster parents based on their religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.