Houston ? Leading Republicans in Texas distanced themselves Friday from a proposal to make the state the only one to prohibit gays and lesbians from being foster parents. It appears the plan will die without becoming law.

The Texas House approved the plan this week, despite concerns that as many as 3,000 children could be removed from their homes. But amid a groundswell of criticism, conservatives backed away from the proposal Friday. GOP leaders, including Gov. Rick Perry, said the proposal is so flawed it could endanger a broader initiative to overhaul the Texas Child Protective Services agency.

Kathy Walt, Perry’s spokeswoman, cautioned that the governor still believes that a “traditional marriage between a man and a woman is the best environment in which to raise children.” But, she said, “He does not want the important focus of reforming CPS to get sidetracked by this debate.”

“We need to focus on protecting children,” she said.

Among Republican lawmakers, Perry’s response was seen as a message to back off.

Perry declared an emergency this year after several children were killed following visits from caseworkers who had determined that the children were not in danger. The overhaul would give CPS hundreds more investigators, would reduce caseloads by an estimated 40 percent and would give more of the agency’s tasks to private companies.

Talton’s amendment would require the state to ask a prospective foster parent if he or she is gay. Gays would be eliminated from consideration, and children who live with gay parents would be removed from their homes.