Out of the Hands of Medical and Legal Authorities
COLUMBUS – On Thursday, Feb. 9, House Bill 515 was introduced in the Ohio House aimed at prohibiting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people – and those who live with them – from adopting or serving as foster parents in Ohio. Republican House Speaker Jon Husted’s chief of staff called the measure “divisive legislation”. If passed, the bill would take decisions about the best interests of children out of the hands of child welfare professionals and increase the burden on an already overwhelmed system. Currently in Ohio, more than 22,000 are in foster care and over 6,000 children are without a loving, permanent home.
“The swift and strong opposition to this bill from the leadership in Ohio’s General Assembly is a sign that Ohio’s legislators put the needs and interests of Ohio’s children first,” said Equality Ohio Executive Director Lynne Bowman. “We will continue to work with members of both parties to keep decisions about the best interest of Ohio’s children where they belong, in the hands of medical and legal professionals.” Read the full news release
