By Marissa Ventrelli [email protected]
Republicans and Democrats on Monday clashed over legislation that creates a “bill of rights” for youth in foster care — in particular because the proposal seeks to guarantee the ability to refuse religious activities and ensures the right to “express gender identity.”
House Bill 1017 provides foster children 5 years and older with an expansive list of rights and freedoms, including guaranteeing access to services and programs, timely court proceedings and effective case management and the right to be placed in a safe environment free of abuse.
The legislation also delves into gender identity issues, saying foster youth have the right to freedom of discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. It also says that foster children have the right to be referred to by their preferred name and pronouns and guarantees they may attend or refuse religious services.