I am a parent of two adopted children, whose adoptions could not have been completed without the honesty, patience, perseverance, and faith that was provided by members of the Christian community involved in the process.  To intentionally set up a barrier which would keep faith-filled adoption agencies from operating in Virginia would do an enormous disservice to orphaned children who are in dire need of loving homes, each headed by a mother and father.  For this reason I am strongly opposed to the new regulations proposed by the Virginia Department of Social Services that violate the rights of faith-based child welfare agencies.

The proposed regulation 22 VAC 40-131-170(B) is in clear violation of the 1st Amendment.  As an adoptive parent, I will be watching carefully the outcome of this legislation.