The Tennessee State Senate passed a bill that would allow private adoption agencies to deny LGBTQ couples based on the agency’s religious or moral beliefs. The bill passed 20 to 6.

House Bill 0836 will prohibit private licensed child-placing agencies from being required to perform, assist, consent to, refer or participate in child placement for foster care or adoption that would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions. The private adoption agencies can’t be denied an application for a license by the Department of Children’s Services or any state or local grant, contract or government program on the basis of its objection due to moral convictions. The bill also says private adoption agencies will be protected from civil action for damages or civil relief because of its refusal to participate in a placement that violates its moral convictions.

House Bill 0836 now goes to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for his signature.