Good afternoon,

I'm writing to express my opposition to the new proposal in regulation 22 VAC 40-131-170(B) that sexual orientation be prohibited from being taken into consideration when placing children with prospective adoptive or foster parents.  While a person's sexual orientation alone should not be a deciding factor, this regulatory change would prohibit agencies (including faith-based agencies) from applying standards for family integrity that are in keeping with their fundamental religious values, particularly that a child has a right to a family with both a mother and a father. 

Adoption services -- particularly faith-based services -- should not be prohibited from taking such factors into account.

Sincerely,

    -Matthew Parowski