A new Oklahoma law aimed at protecting the rights of adoptive and foster parents who raise children according to their biological sex has been signed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
House Bill 3586, known as the “Right to Raise Act,” was authored by Oklahoma Representative Erick Harris. The measure states that Oklahomans cannot be denied the opportunity to adopt or foster children for using biologically based language or for raising children consistent with their biological sex. The law also specifies that those parenting decisions do not constitute child abuse or neglect.
“The Right to Raise Act reinforces that parents have the fundamental right to raise their children according to their values and beliefs,” Harris said. “This bill makes it clear that Oklahoma will stand with families who choose truth over ideology and will not allow them to be punished for it.”
The bill’s Senate author, Oklahoma Senator Kristen Thompson, said the measure is intended to prevent the state from applying ideological standards to foster and adoptive families.
“This measure is about protecting the fundamental rights of parents and ensuring the state does not impose ideological litmus tests on families who want to provide a loving home,” Thompson said. “No qualified Oklahoman should be denied the opportunity to adopt or foster simply for acknowledging biological reality or raising a child in accordance with their deeply held beliefs.”
The law takes effect Nov. 1, 2026.
