Kentucky ignores anti-gay adoption bill

A Senate bill that would have banned gay couples from adopting or fostering children appears to be dead this legislative session.

The measure’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Gary Tapp of Shelbyville, said Senate leaders will not bring Senate Bill 68 to a vote in the final four days of the legislative session. Tapp said Wednesday that he plans to file the bill again next year.

The bill would restrict future foster and adoptive parents to people who are married under Kentucky law, which would eliminate gay couples or unmarried couples from adopting or becoming foster parents.

A similar bill has been developed in Tennessee. Three states – Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas- currently have laws that outlaw adoption by unmarried couples.