To the Members of the State Board of Social Services:

        Please restore the anti-discrimination protections that were in the originally proposed rules for state-licensed agencies responsible for child placement decisions.   When it comes to matters of public policy, religious beliefs should not trump what has been repeatedly shown in research:   a permanent, stable, loving home for a child, whether that home is with a mother & father, single parent, or "two moms/dads," is far better than any other alternative.   With this in mind:

• The best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents

• State-licensed child placing agencies should not be allowed to discriminate against children or prospective parents based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status

• The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Brian Vogel