Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney.
An amendment to an agency’s sunset bill deemed harmful by various LGBT advocacy groups was pulled by its author.
Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney, attached the amendment to HB 2433 by Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite. Similar to his HB 3864, it would have allowed child welfare providers to discriminate against LGBT people as well as those of other faiths, interfaith couples and anyone else to whom a provider objects for religious reasons
HB 3864, however, is still scheduled for a floor vote.
According to the ACLU of Texas, that would weaken the state’s child welfare system by potentially further shrinking the pool of qualified parents who can provide a safe, loving home for children.
Despite the fact that reparative — or conversion — therapy been resoundingly discredited by most health care professionals, Sanford’s amendment would authorize child welfare service providers to force LGBT minors into such programs to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.
HB 3495 by Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, which would bar the practice, has not been scheduled for a hearing.
Other measure targeting LGBT Texans has already passed key hurdles in the Legislature. Today is the last day HB 4105, which would bar public officials from granting or recognizing marriage licenses for same-sex couples even if the Supreme Court overturns the state’s ban on such unions, qualifies for a House. If it fails to receive a vote before midnight it will be considered dead according to House rules.
SB 2065, which deals with clergy performing marriage ceremonies, passed the Senate this week on 21-10 vote. Its companion bill, HB 3567, also by Rep. Sanford, scheduled for a House vote today.
