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Senate Committee Approves Religious-Objection Adoption Bills

LANSING (CBS DETROIT/AP) - Faith-based agencies could refuse to participate in adoptions by gays or by others that violate their religious beliefs -- under bills approved by a committee in the Michigan Senate.

A committee in the state Senate has passed bills to allow faith-based adoption agencies to refuse service from prospective parents based on their religious beliefs.

Vicky Schultz testified Wednesday, she's CEO of Catholic Charities for Shiawassee and Genesee Counties.

"Without these bills agencies such as ours may be asked to perform services which would go against our beliefs system, ultimately forcing us out of the foster care and adoption services," said Schultz.

The bills approved would also prevent governments from refusing to issue a license or provide funding for adoption agencies exercising objections. The committee approved the three bills along party lines.

The bills are moving as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments next week on whether same-sex marriage should be legal in Michigan and several other states.

Governor Snyder has said he fears the religious-objection legislation could lead to lawsuits.

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