Beebe Says He's Still Concerned About Adoption Ban

Gov. Mike Beebe says he's concerned about the impact that an Arkansas law banning unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents is having on children who need good homes.

Beebe told reporters Wednesday that he's not proposing a repeal of the initiated act voters approved a year ago, but said he's still opposed to the measure. Beebe said he still thinks foster care and adoptions should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Department of Human Services officials said they haven't studied whether the ban is limiting the number of homes that are available for children. More than a dozen families have sued the state seeking to overturn the ban.

Beebe issued a proclamation Wednesday declaring November Adoption Awareness month and state officials say they're launching a new Web site on adoptions.