The head of a legislative panel studying adoption policies says the committee won't be taking up a proposal to ban adoptions by same-sex couples.

The Joint Committee on Children's Issues held a daylong meeting Wednesday. The panel is reviewing existing laws and policies, with an eye to possible action by the 2006 Legislature.

Republican House member Steve Huebert of Valley Center wants Kansas to prohibit gay and lesbian couples from adopting. State law now permits adoption by qualified adults.

But Republican Representative Willa DeCastro, who chairs the committee, says the panel won't recommend such a ban.

Huebert's proposal could still come before the Legislature next year via some other route.