Georgia House passes sweeping changes to adoption code

The Georgia House on Thursday unanimously passed a sweeping revamp to the state’s adoption code, seeking to revive an ambitious overhaul that stalled last year when a controversial “religious freedom” clause was added by the Senate.

That amendment, since scuttled, would have allowed adoption agencies to cite their religious beliefs and refuse to give children to LGBT couples.

This year’s bill to speed up the state’s lengthy adoption process incorporates several changes pushed for by the Senate in order to reach a compromise position with the House. Notably, it does not include the same type of “religious exemption” language that derailed the measure last year, increasing the likelihood that Republican Gov. Nathan Deal would sign it into law if it reaches his desk.