The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that private, religious affiliated adoption agencies say is necessary to preserve their religious liberty.

Senate Bill 2188 passed on a 45-2 vote.  The agencies don't want the state to force them to facilitate adoptions that violate their religious or moral principles.  The bill says that the Department of Human Services can't refuse to license them if they use the principles to select their clientele.

Opponents of the bill included gays and lesbians who think they will be shut out of adoptions.

Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, said the bill does not outlaw gay adoptions and clientele turned away by some religious agencies can find another one.  Four of the six agencies licensed in the state are religiously affiliated.

The two senators who voted against the bill were Sen. Carolyn Nelson, D-Fargo, and Sen. Linda Christenson, D-GrandForks.  The bill now goes to the House.