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Vermont Restores Foster Care License, Bans Belief Conditions

2/20/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Vermont settlement with the state restores Melinda Antonucci and Casey Mathieu's foster care license.
The agreement bars conditioning foster care on personal beliefs.
The Department for Children and Families had required them to affirm transgender-identifying children.
The couple can now foster again.
The Department for Children and Families will not place transgender children in homes where parents do not agree to social transition.

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Story summary

The Vermont settlement with the state restores Melinda Antonucci and Casey Mathieu's foster care license.
The agreement bars conditioning foster care on personal beliefs.
The Department for Children and Families had required them to affirm transgender-identifying children.
The couple can now foster again.
The Department for Children and Families will not place transgender children in homes where parents do not agree to social transition.