Nebraska governor's office: No more ban on gay fostering

Lincoln, Neb. (AP) — A spokesman for Gov. Pete Ricketts' office says the state is no longer considering the sexual orientation of a person seeking to become a foster parent.

The spokesman tells the Omaha World-Herald the state health and human services department hasn't officially changed its policy, but it hasn't been following it either.

He says it's hard to pinpoint when the agency changed course, except that it came before Ricketts took office in January. The disconnect between policy and procedure has prompted the governor's office to ask department officials for a review.

The 20-year-old policy effectively prevents gay and lesbian couples from becoming foster parents by barring unmarried, unrelated adults who live together from having children placed with them. It also bars placing children with a single, gay person.

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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, NE

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The Gayly – March 2, 2015 @ 6:20am.