An Oklahoma state senator, among a list of bills aimed at “restoring moral sanity” in the state, has proposed tax credits for adoption as well as for children living in two-parent households.
Oklahoma State Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, said in a news release that eight proposed pieces of legislation push back against “moral decay foisted upon Oklahoma by the far left’s march through our institutions.” In addition to the tax credits, the bills target things like abolishing abortion, prohibiting drag queen performances for children and outlawing pornography.
Here’s what we know about the “Make Adoption Affordable Again Act” and the “Promote Child Thriving Act.”
Sen. Dusty Deevers speaks during a press conference for The Freedom Caucus at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
Oklahoma state senator proposes bill to ‘Make Adoption Affordable Again’
Senate Bill 281, also known as the “Make Adoption Affordable Again Act,” would provide tax credits to families who adopt and those who donate to adoption-facilitating organizations.
For individuals, a tax credit of up to $10,000 would be available, and businesses could receive up to $50,000.
“Every child deserves a family,” said Deevers. “There are many families who are interested in adoption but unable to afford the exorbitant costs. This bill makes adoption a viable option for more families.”
‘Promote Child Thriving Act’ would give higher tax credit for kids born in wedlock
Senate Bill 328, or the “Promote Child Thriving Act,” would provide a tax credit for mothers and fathers who file their taxes jointly, encouraging two-parent homes.
The credit would be at least $500 per child, increasing to $1,000 if the child was born after the parents were married.
“There is no greater factor in the well-being and future success of a child than whether they grew up in a two-parent household with their mother and father,” Deevers said in the release. “It’s not even close. Accordingly, it would be irresponsible of us not to promote two-parent households.”
Deevers said while he knows not all parents would qualify for the credit, he hopes that everyone would “support what is good for kids.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK state senator proposes tax credits for adoption, two-parent homes