Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The Gov.-elect of Kansas Laura Kelly is opposed to a law that protects religious freedom for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. The laws intended to protect the religious convictions of the agencies and shield them from being forced to place children in same-sex parented households. Critics call it "the adoption discrimination measure.” Foster care and adoption agencies in Boston, Illinois, New York and Washington D.C. have been forced to close because they held fast to their convictions as to what they believed best for children. The issue is coming to Kentucky and other states. Some see this as an issue of discrimination. But these same critics should ask if infringing on religious beliefs are in the states' best interest, especially if it results in fewer agencies able to serve children.