Bevin wants foster care settlement thrown out

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration wants a judge to throw out a court settlement made under former Gov. Steve Beshear that would ensure that church-run foster care programs don’t try to proselytize to children.

The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/2atVLI1 ) reports Bevin’s administration this week asked a judge to toss out the settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The administration says the state’s position has changed now that Bevin’s in office.

But Americans United attorney Alex Luchenitser says the state cannot change course on the settlement forged by Beshear’s administration, calling it a “binding agreement.”

The state agreed in 2014 to let Americans United and the ACLU access surveys and exit interviews with children to ensure foster programs aren’t trying to convert children.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.