Iowa SF473: A BILL FOR An Act relating to certain sincerely held religious or moral beliefs of child foster care providers and prospective adoptive parents

What the bill says

To amend the department's rules relating to child foster care and adoption recruitment, retention, training, and support services to provide, unless otherwise provided by federal law or regulation, that an entity that holds itself out to the public as a religious organization as defined in section 13C.1, and that has a contract, subcontract, or other agreement with the department or an agent of the department to provide child foster care Senate File 473, p. or adoption services, shall not be required to provide the contracted, subcontracted, or other agreed upon services in a manner inconsiste.

From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:

to amend the department's rules relating to child foster care and adoption recruitment, retention, training, and support services to provide, unless otherwise provided by federal law or regulation, that an entity that holds itself out to the public as a religious organization as defined in section 13C.1, and that has a contract, subcontract, or other agreement with the department or an agent of the department to provide child foster care Senate File 473, p. or adoption services, shall not be required to provide the contracted, subcontracted, or other agreed upon services in a manner inconsistent with the religious organization's sincerely held religious beliefs. 2. a. This section shall not prohibit the department from determining the best interests of a child in the provision of child foster care, as that term is defined in section 237.1, or adoption services to the child. b. This section shall not relieve the department of the department's duty to determine the best interests of a child in the provision of child foster care or adoption services to the child. ______________________________ ______________________________ AMY SINCLAIR PAT GRASSLEY President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and is known as Senate File 473, Ninety-first General Assembly. ______________________________ W. CHARLES SMITHSON Secretary of the Senate Approved _______________, 2026 ______________________________ …