Action | Adopt new standards for licensed private child-placing agencies. |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 4/1/2011 |
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22 VAC40-131-170 Part IV (B)
This provision requires all state-licensed adoption agencies, including religious organizations, to formulate policies that have the effect of requiring them to facilitate adoptions for same-sex couples. As most Christian organizations view homosexuality as immoral and contrary to their deeply held religious beliefs, it is an abridgment of their First Amendment rights to require they facilitate such adoptions. Consequently, this provision is inappropriate, unconstitutional, and imprudent in that it will likely result in fewer faith-based adoption agencies and fewer overall adoptions.