LANSING - Governor Snyder signed an adoption bill into law that has generated a lot of controversy last week.

That law would allow faith-based adoption agencies to deny services to people on the basis of their religious beliefs, and the divide on this issue between Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature is wide. It is a bill that has garnered strong opposition from Democrats, including State Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr.

"The Governor and the Legislature are on the wrong side of history," Hertel said. "We are still moving forward as a society, and I don't think people want to live in a state where this kind of discrimination exists."

Republican State Senator Arlan Meekhof, on the other hand, voiced his support, saying it will protect faith-based adoption agencies.

"This legislation does not limit options for families with faith-based missions," Meekhof said. "These agencies only account for roughly 25 percent of the foster care and adoption providers."

Under this new law, adoption agencies will not be required to provide services that would conflict with an agency's religious beliefs. However, if an agency denies services, they must either refer the applicant to another agency that can and will provide the services. Even so, Senator Hertel feels this law gives agencies the right to determine what a family looks like.

"It's not just same-sex couples, it could also be divorced couples, people of a different religion. There are lots of different reasons why they could reject an adoptions," Hertel said. "Kids need a lot of things, but the most important thing they need is love and a family."

State Representative Jim Runestad disagrees.

"There is no parent that is is turned away, because there are more children waiting for adoption than there are adoptive parents," Runestad said. "These bills just make sure we have a diversity of organizations that do adoptions."

The state senate approved the bill 26-12. All but one Republican supported this bill, while all Democrats were in opposition.