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Only faithful, married adults could adopt foster kids under a proposed bill

March 18, 2004
By: Almitra Smith
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 1677

Foster care agencies would be prohibited from placing children with single adults engaged in premarital sex under a proposed bill in the Missouri House.

Almitra Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

The bill's sponsor, Republican Jack Jackson, says he wants to insure that foster children are placed in two-parent homes.

Actuality: Jack4.wav
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Contents: "I think it sets a bad precedence in the morality of our state if you put a child in a home where they're not married. And they look at this and they go well that's okay. Well it isn't, in my opinion."

Democrat Margaret Donnelly says the bill would keep foster children out of good homes.

Actuality: Donnel1
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Contents: "I think anytime we start to close the door on individuals who would be able to provide a loving, permanent, stable home to those children is a mistake."

The bill has yet to come up for a vote. From the state Capitol, I'm Almitra Smith

Date: 03/18/04

By: Almitra Smith

State Capital Bureau

State and private foster care agencies would be required to ask applicants if they are having sex out of wedlock under a bill in the Missouri House.

Almitra Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

The bill states no child can be placed with an unmarried individual in a sexual relationship.

Democrat Sharon Sanders Brooks who is on the House Social Services committee says the bill may be aimed at same-sex couples.

Actuality: Brook2.wave
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Contents: "I do in fact believe that it could be aimed at individuals of same sex to preclude them from being foster parents and or potentially adopting children.

Republican Jack Jackson who sponsored the bill says it is about giving children a stabile home.

Actuality: Jack2.wav
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Contents: "It's not about your lifestyle, it's not about who you are, or what you do in the privacy of your home. My personal conviction about foster children is that I would like them to be very much placed in a married home."

The bill has yet to come up for a vote. From the state Capitol. I'm Almitra Smith.