Religious Freedom Bills Back Before Michigan Legislature

Several proposals backers say would address important questions of religious liberty are before Michigan lawmakers this session. (Photo by Ben McCleod via Flickr/Creative Commons)

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Several pieces of legislation that would make it easier for businesses and agencies to deny services based on their religious beliefs are making their way through the Michigan Legislature.

The Detroit Free Press reports that three bills that would allow faith-based adoption agencies to turn away same-sex or unmarried couples without losing state funding – about $10 million this fiscal year – are currently before a House committee and are scheduled for a vote Wednesday.

During a hearing before the House’s Family, Children and Seniors, Jose Carrera of St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing said that pretending objectivity toward same-sex and unmarried couples during adoption proceedings “would be a conflict of interest” for his and similar agencies.

“We can only focus on what we believe is in the best interest of the child,” Carrera said. “We take that very, very seriously.”

That could leave many couples with few adoption options, said Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright, D-Muskegon. All but a few adoption agencies in west Michigan are faith-based, she said, leaving some couples with few options.

“I have an issue with you imposing your religious beliefs on the public,” she said. “I totally respect your ability to believe as you choose. But when you’re a public-private agency, you receive state money so you do have a heightened responsibility.”

Related:

• Lesbian Couple Says Pediatrician Turned Away Newborn Because They Are Gay
• Critics: Religious Freedom Restoration Act Legalizes LGBT Discrimination
• U.S. Supreme Court Will Finally Decide Gay Marriage in 50 States
• Judge Rules Michigan Must Recognize 300 Same-Sex Marriages

The House of Representatives could also consider legislation that would allow students to freely express their religious beliefs in public schools.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed out of a Senate committee, but was never debated before the full chamber. It would have allowed the medical and business communities to refuse services based on moral and conscientious grounds.

Nineteen states have similar acts.

The Roseville pediatrician who turned away a newborn whose parents were gay would have received additional protections under such legislation. The doctor was already legally protected because neither the state nor federal civil rights laws address discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Michigan Catholic Conference spokesman David Maluchnik said the act would address religious liberty concerns that have existed “for some time.”

There is a desire to ensure that faith-based providers and people have a place in a diverse society,” he said. “There have been aggressive attempts to push faith-based providers out of the public square.

“But we believe there is a strong tradition of faith-based providers having a place and we want to ensure that continues for decades to come.”

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