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Committee advances bill to protect faith‑based foster and adoption providers amid debate
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Summary
Representative Lindauer presented HB13‑89 to expand foster and adoption capacity by protecting faith‑based providers' conscience rights; witnesses cited out‑of‑state cases and studies to argue the law encourages providers, while some senators raised concerns about encouraging organizations with litigation histories; the committee approved the bill 8–2.
Representative Lindauer told the Judiciary committee HB13‑89 is intended to expand the network of foster and adoptive parents and service providers by codifying protections that allow faith‑based individuals and organizations to participate without compromising sincerely held religious beliefs. He said the bill lets DCS consider a child's faith tradition before placement and strengthens statutory protections so faith‑based organizations will not be subject to discrimination in licensing or contracting.
Multiple witnesses testified in favor. Josh Hirschberger of the Indiana Family Institute said collaboration between churches and government has reduced CHINS caseloads in some counties and warned that faith leaders hesitate to engage without legal assurances. Matt Sharp of Alliance Defending Freedom described out‑of‑state cases in which families and providers faced licensing or employment consequences for their beliefs and argued that legal protections increase the number of available foster homes.
Senator Taylor and other members pressed witnesses on whether the problems motivating the bill were evident in Indiana and noted that some organizations cited as potential recruits have litigation histories. Taylor said she was reluctant to incentivize organizations with documented employment disputes; supporters said the bill applies to all faiths and aims to broaden provider options. After debate the committee moved HB13‑89 as amended and voted 8–2 to advance it.
