# Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-106: Religious preference - Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption

> Arkansas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-106

## Section

- **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-106
- **Heading:** Religious preference - Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption
- **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AR Code / Title 9 / Chapter 28 / Subchapter 1 / Section 9-28-106

## Text

(a) The Department of Human Services and any other agency or entity that receives federal assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care placement shall not: (1) Discriminate on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of either the adoptive parent, foster parent, or the child involved; or (2) Delay the placement of a child on the basis of race, color, or national origin of the adoptive parent or foster parent. (b) If a child's genetic parent or parents express a preference for placing the child in a foster home or an adoptive home of the same or a similar religious background to that of the genetic parent or parents, the department shall: (1) Place the child with a family that meets the genetic parent's religious preference; or (2) If a family with the same or a similar religious background is not available, to a family of a different religious background that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the child's religious background. Acts 2011, No. 591, § 1

(a) The Department of Human Services and any other agency or entity that receives federal assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care placement shall not: (1) Discriminate on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of either the adoptive parent, foster parent, or the child involved; or (2) Delay the placement of a child on the basis of race, color, or national origin of the adoptive parent or foster parent.

(1) Discriminate on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of either the adoptive parent, foster parent, or the child involved; or

(2) Delay the placement of a child on the basis of race, color, or national origin of the adoptive parent or foster parent.

(b) If a child's genetic parent or parents express a preference for placing the child in a foster home or an adoptive home of the same or a similar religious background to that of the genetic parent or parents, the department shall: (1) Place the child with a family that meets the genetic parent's religious preference; or (2) If a family with the same or a similar religious background is not available, to a family of a different religious background that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the child's religious background.

(1) Place the child with a family that meets the genetic parent's religious preference; or

(2) If a family with the same or a similar religious background is not available, to a family of a different religious background that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the child's religious background.

Acts 2011, No. 591, § 1

## Nearby sections

- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-101 Legislative intent and purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-101.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-102 Creation of the Division of Children and Family Services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-102.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-103 Division of Children and Family Services - Powers and duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-103.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-104 Best interest of the child](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-104.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-105 Preference to relative caregivers for a child in foster care](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-105.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-106 Religious preference - Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-106.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-107 Notice when juvenile transferred to custody of department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-107.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-108 Placement of juveniles - Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-108.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-109 Notice of move in foster care placement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-109.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-110 Smoking in the presence of foster children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-110.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-111 Case plans - Definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-111.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-112 Foster children and educational issues](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-112.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-113 Continuity of educational services to foster children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-113.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-114 Foster youth transition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T9_C28_S1_S9-28-106. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.