WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of colleagues to support the bicameral John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act. This bill would prohibit discrimination against prospective foster or adoptive parents, and children and youth in the foster care system due to their religion, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and would bar harmful practices, like conversion therapy. Additionally, the bill would improve services to LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth, and would establish a National Resource Center for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.

“Every child – no matter their background – deserves stability and love, regardless of a caregiver’s religion, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation,” said Senator King. “By discriminating against otherwise qualified foster or adoptive parents and minimizing the needs of LGBT or religious minority children, the existing system is robbing children of a home where they can feel safe, loved, and free to grow. Members of the Senate and House of Representatives believe this is wholly unacceptable, and we are urging Congress to pass this law to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe, stable, happy home.”

There are nearly 425,000 children in the foster care system, and more than 122,000 children waiting for a permanent family. This bipartisan legislation is designed to increase the number of homes available to all children in foster care and to improve services to LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth. Approximately 28% of homeless youth with a foster care history identify as LGBTQ+ and are more likely to experience adverse events, such as being physically harmed or stigmatized, compared to peers with no foster care history. This legislation would put an end to discriminatory policies and create a system that supports the best interests of children and foster and adoptive parents alike.

 Specifically, the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act would:

• Prohibit organizations receiving federal funding from discriminating against children, youth, families, and individuals on the basis of religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and marital status in the administration and provision of child welfare services.
• Ban conversion therapy for children participating in child welfare programs receiving federal funding.
• Promote safety, well-being, and permanency for LGBTQ+ children in foster care.
• Requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth and families so we can better monitor these trends and issues, and it would establish a dedicated National Resource Center for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. 

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act is endorsed by 175 supporting organizations.