Faith-based adoption safe in Ala.

Faith-based adoption safe in Ala.

When Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act into law May 3, Alabama became the fifth state to pass legislation protecting the rights of faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to restrict child placement based on religious beliefs.

South Dakota passed a similar measure in March, and Virginia, Michigan and North Dakota already had laws in place prior to this year. Texas and Oklahoma currently have freedom of conscience bills in legislative committees.

About 30 percent of the adoptions in Alabama are secured through faith-based agencies, according to Eric Johnston, legal adviser for Alabama Citizens Action Program and president of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition.

The state’s new law is limited to faith-based agencies that do not receive government funding. (BP, TAB)