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 or family status.

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

A child needs a caregiver who is loving, responsible and reliable. The gender of that person, and the gender of anyone he or she may engage in a romantic relationship with, has no bearing on the suiatability of that person to care for that child.