I am writing to express my opposition to the new regulations proposed by the Virginia

Department of Social Services that violate the rights of faith-based child welfare agencies,

and will deny countless orphaned and vulnerable children the right to a permanent, loving family.

Proposed regulation 22 VAC 40-131-170(B) is a clear violation of the Constitutional right to the

free exercise of religion and is an attempt to alleviate the rights of one group of citizens at the

expense of another. What's worse is that countless children in Virginia and around the world 

will be denied their fundamental right to a family if it is allowed to become law. I urge you to do 

everything in your power to oppose this regulation and protect the right of faith-based 

organizations to continue to serve children.

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