LANSING, Mich. —Faith-
Adoption agencies paid in Michigan will no longer be able to reject gay, bisexual and transgender couples or individuals because of religious opposition under the legal solution announced on Friday.
Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel's office reached an agreement with lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union, a court that sued the state on 2017 on behalf of two gay couples and a teenage foster woman.
"Discrimination in the provision of foster care case management and adoption services is illegal, regardless of the reasons," Nessel said in a statement . " He sought settlement talks after taking office in January.
"Limiting the opportunity for a child to be adopted or raised by a loving family is not only contrary to the country's goal of finding a home for each child, but each child is in direct breach of the contract-
The agency will be signed with the state.
"Like most states, Michigan has signed contracts with private institutions to place children in troubled families in new homes.
The lawsuit says the same
Catholic Charities and Bethany Christian Services have rejected sexual partners because they are gay.
2015 of Republicans
Children under law
Placement agencies do not need to provide any services that conflict with the religious beliefs they hold in good faith.
However, according to litigation and final solutions, the definition of services does not include services provided under contracts with the national Department of Health and Human Services.
The Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, which represents St.
Vincent Catholic charity and others have accused Nessel and ACLU of trying to prevent the state from cooperating with faith.
It is based in the adoption agency.
"The result of this will be tragic," said lawyer Lori Windham . ".
"Thousands of children will not be able to find the home of the love they deserve.
This solution is in violation of national laws protecting religious adoption institutions.
But two plaintiffs Kristy and Dana Dumont in Dimondale, near Lansing, issued a statement calling them "very happy" for the same thing "--
Sexual couples who are interested in raising or adopting children.
"We hope this will mean more families of children, especially those who have been waiting for years to adopt their children," they said . ".
"We can't wait to welcome one of the children to our family.
ACLU described the settlement as a "victory" for nearly 12,000 foster children, he said, the lawsuit was filed after the office of former Republican Attorney General Bill Schulte refused to talk to it about possible discrimination.
The gay Nessel criticized the law.
As a private lawyer, she successfully overturned a Michigan ban on same-sex marriage.
As of February, Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities and Saints.
Vincent is responsible for more than 1,600 of the state's 13,000 people, accounting
State spokesman Bob Whitton said there were cases of foster care and adoption.
Under the settlement agreement, the state must enforce
In the event that the agency accepts referrals but refuses to cooperate with LGBT persons who intend to raise or adopt any child they accept, the discriminatory provisions in the contract.
The rejection of potentially qualified LGBT individuals is prohibited, as is the refusal to provide guidance or training, conduct family research or process applications.
In a 2017 court document
Vincent Catholic charity says it has recruited more new families in the capital region than seven of the other eight adoption agencies, seven of which are willing to work with unmarried or identical people --sex couples.
The agency said it would not be able to continue to adopt and promote projects without a national contract.
The solution was praised and criticized.
The liberal advocacy group, progressive Michigan, called it a "great step towards a more popular and inclusive Michigan.
But Mike seckey, a Republican Senate majority leader from Lake Clark, said he was "deeply saddened and angry" and accused Nasser of pushing her "personal political agenda"
"Nasser clearly ignores the laws, the Constitution and the welfare of our country --
"Thousands of children are offensive to all citizens," he said . ".
Spokeswoman Kelly Rothman
McKinney retorted that the Minister of Justice "strongly supported" a "permanent home" for every child in custody ".
This is a compassionate agenda for mothers.