Two Massachusetts families have filed a federal lawsuit with Alliance Defending Freedom after the state revoked their foster licenses due to their religious beliefs.
Current Department of Children and Families (DCF) rules require foster parents to affirm a child’s gender transition and use chosen pronouns, even if these conflict with the parents’ faith.
The families involved, the Joneses and Schrocks, have cared for dozens of children, including infants and toddlers. The lawsuit argues that removing children from these homes solely because of the parents’ beliefs violates the First Amendment and places ideology above the well-being of children.
MCFL President Myrna Maloney Flynn commented: "We know that many of our supporters would love to welcome foster children into their homes, yet they often express concern that, because of current DCF requirements, they would have to contradict their core values to care for those children. We are hopeful that all who wish to foster and adopt will soon be able to do so freely in Massachusetts, without compromising their integrity."
Despite the current policy environment and ongoing legal battles, thousands of children in Massachusetts still need loving homes. Foster care and adoption remain life-affirming ways to make a real difference, and the process often takes time. This means that families who step forward now can change lives, even as lawsuits like Jones v. Mahaniah work their way through the courts. We encourage anyone called to care for children to explore fostering or adoption today, providing safety, stability, and love when it is needed most.