HOMETOWN SOURCE: Craig asks to renew rule that aims to prevent discrimination in adoption and foster care
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Prior Lake, the first LGBTQ+ mother and grandmother in Congress, delivered a letter last week signed by 23 House Democrats opposing the Department of Health and Human Services’ rescission of a Biden-era rule aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ foster youth have access to safe and affirming placements.
The members urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to put forth an alternative rule.
Previous designated placement policy required states to maintain an adequate number of foster placements that support and affirm LGBTQ+ foster youth.
Craig said rescinding the rule without a replacement removes key protections ensuring access to safe, appropriate placements. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and face higher risks of harm, while evidence shows affirming placements significantly improve their mental health and well-being.
Eliminating the rule, in conjunction with other actions limiting LGBTQ+-focused services, undermines agencies’ ability to meet legal obligations and puts vulnerable youth at greater risk.
“This move is the Trump Administration’s latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community,” said Rep. Craig. “Every child deserves a loving, supportive and safe home. The decision to rescind the designated placement rule with no clear alternative puts already-vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth at risk of further harm. HHS needs to propose an alternative rule immediately.”
Craig, who serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, delivered the letter along with Danny K. Davis, D-Illinois; Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin; Lateefah Simon and Judy Chu, both Democrats from California.
“Research overwhelmingly shows that LGBTQ+ foster youth have better mental health and well-being outcomes when placed with affirming caregivers,” said Chu. “That’s why the Trump administration’s recission of the Designated Placement Rule is so harmful.”
Craig said she has spoken out against prior HHS actions against LGBTQ+ youth and has championed legislation to protect LGBTQ+ foster youth since arriving in Congress.
Earlier this Congress, Rep. Craig helped re-introduce the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which she said prevents discrimination in America’s adoption and foster care systems. The bill also improves services for LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services.