Washington Revises Foster Care Rules After Christian Couple Wins Religious Exemption Settlement

Shane and Jennifer DeGross, a Christian couple who have fostered children for more than ten years, contested Washington’s licensing rules that required them to affirm state gender-identity policies and use preferred pronouns. The dispute, which started when they sought license renewal in 2022, led them to file a religious-freedom claim. The state settled, partially restoring their license and agreeing to revise its regulations, including a proposed rule (WSR 26-20-103) that would provide a religious exemption for foster parents.

Alliance Defending Freedom’s senior counsel, Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, said the settlement signals that states must respect First Amendment rights while still serving LGBTQ youth. Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families welcomed the agreement, noting it respects both parents’ beliefs and children’s safety. The DeGrosses view the outcome as a victory that could allow more Christian families to foster without compromising their faith.