West Virginia Republicans have opposed a proposed rule change that would regulate the way child welfare agencies must handle cases involving LGBTQ children, which could include required access to gender-affirming care.
On Thursday, Congresswoman Carol Miller, R-W.Va., joined dozens of other Republicans in Washington, D.C., to introduce the bill that would protect faith-based child welfare providers from being discriminated against for acting in accordance with their religious beliefs .
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has also joined other attorneys general in publicly protesting the federal proposal.
West Virginia has the highest rate of children entering foster care in the nation, and there are more than 6,200 children in state foster care.
Research shows that LGBTQ youth are overrepresented face higher rates in the child welfare system for reasons that include LGBTQ youth physical abuse by parents, and they are more likely to run away from home or be kicked out.
President Joe Biden prioritized Address discrimination and barriers faced by LGBTQ youth and families in the child welfare system. His plan noted that more than 300 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures last year, including in West Virginiaand many of these involved restricting access to gender-affirming care.
Under Biden, the Federal Ministry of Health in September shared a suggestion It sets out the steps agencies must take in implementing the case plan and case review requirements for LGBTQ children in foster care. Case plans would need to include sexual orientation and gender identity support services.
Miller said her legislation “will protect faith-based organizations from the Biden administration’s discriminatory policies and ensure providers receive the federal support they need to serve families in our community.”
“Faith-based welfare providers provide a beacon of hope to many families seeking care and resources in times of need,” Miller said in a statement.
The bill would also prohibit federal, state and local agencies that receive federal adoption assistance from accusing child welfare service providers of religious beliefs.
West Virginia’s foster care guidelines require placement agencies to provide equal access to services to foster children and their biological families, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
However, there are no provisions in state policy that protect potential LGBTQ foster parents from discrimination by state child placement agencies.
Miller’s legislation follows suit of a letter from Republican attorneys general, including Morrisey, who oppose the federal proposal to treat LGBTQ foster children.
Attorneys general warned that the proposed rule could lead to the exclusion of Christian families from the foster care system.
