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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
SENATE BILL 1677 By: Daniels
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Children ’s Code;
prohibiting certain act ions by the Department of
Human Services; providing certain const ruction;
authorizing certain claim in specified proceedings ;
providing for codification; an d providing an
effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to b e codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1-8-113 of Title 10A, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Department of Human Services shall not:
1. Require, as a condition for eligibility to foster or adopt,
any current or prospective adoptive or foster parent to affirm,
accept, or support any government policy regarding sexual
orientation or gender identity that conflicts with the parent ’s
sincerely held religious or moral beliefs ;
2. Deny a current or prospectiv e adoptive or foster parent any
authorization necessary to be eligible to foste r or adopt based, in
whole or in part, upon the parent ’s sincerely held religious or
moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity ; or
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3. Establish or enforce a ny standard, rule, or policy that
precludes consideration of a current or prospective adoptive or
foster parent for any particular pla cement based, in whole or in
part, upon the parent ’s sincerely held religious or moral beliefs
regarding sexual orientatio n or gender identity. Such beliefs shall
not create a presumption that any par ticular placement is contrary
to the best interest of the child.
B. Nothing in this section shall :
1. Preclude the Department from taking into account the
religious or moral beliefs of a particular adoptive or fost er child,
or his or her family of origin, when determining the most
appropriate placement for the child; or
2. Be construed to prohibit the Department from making, or
relieve the Department of its duty to make, individual placements
consistent with the best interests of the child as otherwise
required by law.
C. A current or prospective adoptive or foster parent aggrieved
by a violation of this section may raise a claim in a judicial or
administrative proceeding an d seek injunctive relief, compensatory
damages, reasonable attorney fees , or other appropriate relief .
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
59-2-2783 DC 1/16/2024 2:23:20 PM