tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21731268.post115670531839644210..comments2023-09-19T07:53:29.105-04:00Comments on Live, Love, and Learn: Bit by BitJohn Hostyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05152742238759546206noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21731268.post-1157951460841615982006-09-11T01:11:00.000-04:002006-09-11T01:11:00.000-04:00Ark. unlikely to appeal order reversing gay foster...Ark. unlikely to appeal order reversing gay foster parent ban<BR/>Board leaves action up to Legislature<BR/>PARIS, Ark. (AP) | Sep 8, 7:59 AM <BR/><BR/>The head of a state panel that had approved a policy banning homosexuals from serving as foster parents says it is unlikely Arkansas will appeal court decisions rejecting the ban.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The Child Welfare Agency Licensing Review Board, meeting at the Mount Magazine State Park, intended a formal vote Thursday.<BR/><BR/><BR/>"I'd just like to let the Legislature work on this one," board chairman James Balcom said.<BR/><BR/><BR/>A Pulaski County judge and the state Supreme Court each ruled that the board did not have the authority to impose the ban. A state Health and Human Services department lawyer said the state has until Sept. 29 to file papers with the U.S. Supreme Court that it intends to keep fighting.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Four people sued after the board adopted the policy in 1999 and the board dropped the policy after losing a court fight in 2004. The four who successfully sued the board did not apply to serve as foster parents, a state spokeswoman said after the state Supreme Court affirmed the ban in June.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Gov. Mike Huckabee has said he hoped legislators would consider a ban but that he was not inclined to call a special legislative session to address the issue. He leaves office in January before the next term of the Legislature.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The board had instituted the ban in March 1999, saying children should be in traditional two-parent homes because they are more likely to thrive in that environment.<BR/><BR/>Source for this is Houston Voice Online.John Hostyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152742238759546206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21731268.post-1156969027790392342006-08-30T16:17:00.000-04:002006-08-30T16:17:00.000-04:00John this deserves its own talking point, would yo...John this deserves its own talking point, would you repost it as a thread please? This is a huge step forward.John Hostyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152742238759546206noreply@blogger.com