HB-4927, As Passed House, December 4, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSTITUTE FOR

 

HOUSE BILL NO. 4927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled

 

"The social welfare act,"

 

(MCL 400.1 to 400.119b) by adding section 5a.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 5a. In accordance with section 23g of chapter X of the

 

probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.23g, and sections 14e

 

and 14f of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.124e and 722.124f, the department

 

shall not take an adverse action against a child placing agency on

 

the basis that the child placing agency has declined or will

 

decline to provide services that conflict with, or provide services

 

under circumstances that conflict with, the child placing agency's

 

sincerely held religious beliefs contained in a written policy,

 

statement of faith, or other document adhered to by the child

 

placing agency.

 

     Enacting section 1. It is the intent of the legislature to

 


protect child placing agencies' free exercise of religion protected

 

by the United States constitution and the state constitution of

 

1963. This amendatory act is not intended to limit or deny any

 

person's right to adopt a child or participate in foster care.

 

     Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect

 

unless all of the following bills of the 97th Legislature are

 

enacted into law:

 

     (a) House Bill No. 4928.

 

     (b) House Bill No. 4991.