TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers have again refused to audit the Department of Children and Families to determine if the agency discriminates against same-sex couples in adoption or foster care cases.
The Legislative Post Audit Committee on Tuesday voted 5-4 along party lines not to approve the audit. Rep. Jim Ward, a Democrat from Wichita, sought the audit after several same-sex couple alleged last year that the agency had discriminated against them.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports Wednesday’s vote came after DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore issued a statement denying the discrimination allegations. She says the agency has no policies or documents related to same-sex or non-traditional families.
Ward countered that substantial anecdotal evidence shows blatant discrimination against same-sex couples. He called Tuesday’s vote “shameful.”
