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(s).  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, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.  The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in th proposed rules.

Sincerely,

Jamilah LeCruise