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. Virginia should not move backwards in time to an era filled with discriminatory policies. Discriminatory policies based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, and family status do not protect the best interest of any child.
The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.