Topeka ? Legislative leaders on Monday approved a conservative representative’s request for a review of state policies that permit gay people to adopt foster children.

Lawmakers also will study ways to cut Medicaid expenses, restrict the Kansas Supreme Court and consider a tax on sexually oriented businesses.

The topics were among a long list of policy issues approved by legislative leaders for review by various committees prior to the January startup of the 2006 legislative session.

On the adoption issue, a House-Senate committee on children’s issues will “review existing policies and procedures for eligible individuals to adopt children.” The study will “make sure that the best interests of the child are protected when establishing the criteria of who may adopt a child.”

Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, and House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said the language of the adoption study request was broad and not specifically aimed at gays.

When asked whether gays should be allowed to adopt, Mays, said, “I don’t know.” Morris said, “I really haven’t thought about it.”

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While the wording of the study request was broad, the subject was requested by Rep. Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center. He said he requested the study on behalf of a constituent who was concerned that a lesbian couple might be allowed to adopt her granddaughter, who was in foster care.

Under Kansas law, homosexual adults are neither restricted nor prohibited from adopting children.

Bruce Ney, a gay rights advocate from Lawrence, said the study represented the continuation of an assault on gay rights that started with passage this year of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

“We knew ‘protecting the family’ would be the next thing, and going after adoption,” he said.

Rep. Willa DeCastro, R-Wichita, said she was surprised Huebert’s request for a study was sent to her committee, because she said neither House leaders nor Huebert have talked to her about it.

DeCastro said the committee has many issues to tackle within the four meeting days allotted, and that the study of adoption criteria may have to be included in a larger briefing on social services.

“I will certainly do what leadership asks,” DeCastro said, but she added, “I would not necessarily agree with Rep. Huebert about this.”

DeCastro said she knew of a single man who adopted three children and all three children grew up to be wonderful, productive adults.

Sen. Kay O’Connor, R-Olathe, who is vice chair of the committee, however, said she would oppose allowing gays to adopt.

People “who are openly having a homosexual lifestyle are probably not good candidates for adoptive parents,” she said.

But O’Connor said she wouldn’t want to remove a child who has adjusted to a gay, adoptive parent.

On other issues, a special committee will review Medicaid with the goal of increasing cost effectiveness.

“It’s sort of a runaway train,” Morris said of increasing expenses for the health care program that provides services to the poor and elderly.

Another committee will review a proposed constitutional amendment that would specify that courts cannot tell the Legislature how to appropriate funds. The proposal arose after a recent decision by the Kansas Supreme Court that required lawmakers to increase school funding.