We the people have the God-given right to determine what laws and regulations control our behavior as law-abiding citizens, including parental rights to teach the truth to our children and grandchildren. The regulatory action being considered violates these rights and is opposed to common sense for the following reasons:

• Parents are closest to their child’s challenges; they are in the best position to make healthcare decisions involving the well being of their child.
   
• Under Virginia law, parents have the fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing, education and care of their children. 
   
• Some young people may have attractions they desire to change or moderate. Others may simply desire guidance from a counselor to live a chaste life. In either instance, there should be options for families to make informed decisions. 
   
• The proposed ban would deny families the freedom to seek counseling aligned with their faith.
   
• Licensed professionals with years of education and experience should not be removed from the process of helping children work through these sensitive and deeply personal issues. 

For these reasons, the subject regulatory actions are illegal and unconstitutional.

Please listen to the will of the people and desist from these actions.

Respectfully,

John and Joan Fittz