In my opinion, 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. Children need loving homes and families, neither race, religion, sexual orientation nor family status should factor in these placements as it is proven that none of these factors impact a child's well-being in the long run.  It is tha lack of a loving and supportive environment that negatively impacts children.