Arkansas Code
Subchapter 1 - Children and Family Services
§ 9-28-106. Religious preference — Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption

(a) The Department of Human Services and any other agency or entity that receives federal assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care placement shall not:
(1) Discriminate on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of either the adoptive parent, foster parent, or the child involved; or
(2) Delay the placement of a child on the basis of race, color, or national origin of the adoptive parent or foster parent.

(b) If a child's genetic parent or parents express a preference for placing the child in a foster home or an adoptive home of the same or a similar religious background to that of the genetic parent or parents, the department shall:
(1) Place the child with a family that meets the genetic parent's religious preference; or
(2) If a family with the same or a similar religious background is not available, to a family of a different religious background that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the child's religious background.

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