EDGE on the Net

An Illinois state representative has filed a bill to amend the state’s recently-enacted civil unions law to grant an exemption to religious "child welfare agenc[ies]" that would otherwise be required to place needy children with same-sex couples.

The Virginia Board of Social Services’ decision to scrap a proposal that would have banned adoption and foster care agencies from discriminating against prospective adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation highlights the ongoing debate over whether non-discrimination statutes apply to private agencies.