Oklahoma Adopts Measure To Grant Legal Protections To Faith-Based Foster Care Provider Organizations

On May 11, 2018, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed legislation to grant legal protection to faith-based foster care provider organizations that contract with the state. The legislation, Senate Bill 1140, allows the state to contract with faith-based provider organizations that impose religion-based requirements in addition to state requirements on potential foster parents.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) said that the foster care system allows people to become foster parents by working directly with DHS or through a private, contract foster care provider organization. At all times, DHS retains responsibility for child placements . . .