Washington State Agrees to Revise Foster Care Rules After Pronoun Dispute

Washington state has agreed to revise its foster care licensing rules following a legal challenge by a Christian couple who objected to state requirements that they use children's preferred pronouns and adhere to gender identity policies, citing conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Shane and Jennifer DeGross, who have cared for foster children for over a decade, encountered the issue in 2022 when seeking to renew their foster care license. The state had updated its requirements to include affirmations of gender identity and the use of preferred names and pronouns, which the couple stated clashed with their Christian faith.

"While we agreed that we would love and care for any child in our home, they had specific things that we could not agree to as Christians," Jennifer DeGross told Fox News Digital. Shane DeGross added that the state required them to affirm views on gender identity and sexuality that conflicted with their religious worldview.

The couple challenged these requirements on religious freedom grounds. The state initially reinstated a partial license but restricted the age of children they could foster, requiring any child to be removed from their home once they reached age 5. The DeGrosses argued that such restrictions were not in the best interest of children, potentially disrupting placements after years of care.

Through a settlement, Washington state has committed to revising its licensing rules. Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the DeGrosses, stated that the settlement should serve as a notice to other states that they must respect the First Amendment rights of foster parents.

"These foster care agencies, they have to respect the First Amendment rights of foster parents, as well as the children in the system and everyone that they work with," said Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom. He emphasized that states should accommodate foster parents' beliefs and match children with families based on individual needs and family capacities.

Following the settlement, Washington State has introduced a proposed regulation, WSR 26-20-103, which is currently undergoing public comment. This regulation would provide a religious exemption for foster parents from rules requiring them to violate their beliefs on gender or sexuality.

"It's a great victory in the sense that more Christians can be available to love and care for foster kids without fear of being excluded because of their religious beliefs," Shane DeGross said. "It's a huge victory for kids that need a loving home."

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) commented on the settlement, stating, "This settlement agreement respects the religious beliefs of foster parents, while ensuring LGBTQIA+ youth are placed in an environment that is safe and supports their well-being." The department also expressed gratitude for the diversity within its foster parent community.