Requires child's religion not be changed due to foster care or adoption.

This bill requires New Jersey foster care agencies, courts, and adoption agencies to place children in foster care, adoption, or resource family homes with families of the same religious faith as the child, whenever possible. Exceptions are permitted only with written consent from the child's birth parent or legal guardian, or if such placement is not feasible or not in the child's best interest (with a written explanation required). In cases where a different religious setting is used, the bill mandates that children must continue attending their own religious services, receiving religious instruction, and observing their faith unless the birth parent or guardian requests otherwise in writing. This policy aims to preserve a child's religious identity during placement transitions.