As a voter and tax payer, I do not want these new regulations installed. 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. Research is overwhelmingly clear that a child is best raised by both a mother and a father, and this has been the standard in over 2000 years of Western Civilization. To purposely and intentionally deny a child the right to a father or a mother is irresponsible, and does not serve the common good. It also is against the Constitution to deny religious organizations the right to operate according to their own precepts. This change would do nothing for the common good, would harm children, and would threaten religious freedom.

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.