                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CHILD-PLACING AGENCIES; CONSCIENCE CLAUSE (§ 63.2-1709.3)

A. To the extent allowed by federal law, no private child-placing agency shall
be required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or
participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the
proposed placement would violate the agency&#8217;s written religious or moral
convictions or policies.

B. The Commissioner shall not deny an application for an initial license or
renewal of a license or revoke the license of a private child-placing agency
because of the agency&#8217;s objection to performing, assisting, counseling,
recommending, consenting to, referring, or participating in a placement that
violates the agency&#8217;s written religious or moral convictions or policies.

C. A state or local government entity may not deny a private child-placing
agency any grant, contract, or participation in a government program because of
the agency&#8217;s objection to performing, assisting, counseling, recommending,
consenting to, referring, or participating in a placement that violates the
agency&#8217;s written religious or moral convictions or policies.

D. Refusal of a private child-placing agency to perform, assist, counsel,
recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in a placement that violates the
agency&#8217;s written religious or moral convictions or policies shall not form
the basis of any claim for damages.

HISTORY: 2012, cc. 690, 715.