First, I would like to thank the Virginia Board of Social Services for its approval on April 20 of regulations that respect the conscience and beliefs of faith-based adoption agencies and birth parents with regard to marriage and the family as it affects child placement decisions.   

Now, I am asking the Board to reject any proposed changes that would discriminate against such agencies as well as many birth parents and force them to either violate their beliefs or, in the case of the agencies, to close their doors.