Topeka ? Addressing the question of whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt children in Kansas has been added to a legislative study committee’s list of things to do.

Rep. Willa DeCastro, R-Wichita, said Friday she scheduled a hearing Sept. 14 of the Joint Committee on Children’s Issues with adoption the only item set for discussion. Earlier this week, DeCastro said she wasn’t planning for her committee to discuss the issue “anytime soon.”

The panel will hear from staff about current adoption laws in Kansas, as well as from the Kansas Children’s Service League, which is contracted by Social and Rehabilitation Services to handle adoptions of children in foster care.

DeCastro said her decision wasn’t based on any pressure from House leadership or other legislators.

“I said from the onset … that I would accommodate them,” DeCastro said, referring to the leadership.

Rep. Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center, asked legislative leaders last month to put adoption criteria on a list of topics to be studied before the Legislature begins Jan. 9. He believes adoption should be limited to homes with a mother and father.

His proposal has received criticism from gay and lesbian advocacy groups, and many lawmakers said they weren’t eager to take on such an emotional issue.

State law is silent on whether gays or lesbians can adopt foster children. Unmarried couples can’t adopt foster children jointly.

An unmarried individual can adopt a child and live with another person, but only the person who adopted would have legal custody.

Last year, 627 foster children were adopted in Kansas, and about half that number were placed in homes through private adoptions. SRS says the number of foster children averages about 4,500 per month, but it doesn’t keep track of whether foster parents are gay or lesbian.

DeCastro said Huebert’s issue wouldn’t be the focus of the hearings, but she expected the topic would be discussed.

“My sense is that it’s not maybe a major problem,” DeCastro said.

She added that if interest was great enough in Huebert’s proposal, there could be specific hearings next session.

“My goal is that every child in the foster program deserves a safe and secure home. If we can identify a home for them, then that is a good and workable solution for everyone,” DeCastro said.