The Virginia House of Delegates passed a Republican-backed bill 71-28 Friday, which would allow private adoption agencies to deny child adoption by individuals based on their religious or moral beliefs, including views on homosexuality.
Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, said it would not change the way any private adoption agencies currently function, so there will not be any immediate impact.
The legislation would "protect private child placement agencies from being forced to participate in the placement of a child in a foster care or adoptive home that violates the agency's religious or moral convictions," McWaters said.
Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to requests for comment.
The Senate has not reviewed the bill, but Gov. Bob McDonnell plans to sign it if it reaches his desk, his spokesperson Jeff Caldwell said.
"[McDonnell] has expressed his belief that faith-based adoption agencies should not be required to conduct adoption services that run counter to their religious beliefs, understanding that these organizations conduct a large portion of the state's adoptions and could cease working to find homes for these children if they feel they cannot do it in accordance with their beliefs," Caldwell said in an email.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, said this bill codifies discrimination into law.
"I will listen to the arguments and try to understand what the rationale behind it is ... but I'm not inclined to support discrimination or use of tax dollars to support discrimination," Deeds said.
McWaters, however, said the proposal is "completely consistent with all Virginia and federal laws."
Last December, the Virginia Board of Social Services adopted regulations permitting private agencies to discriminate based on factors including gender, age, race, disability and sexual orientation. Gilbert's bill and its Senate counterpart would make those regulations state law so a future administration could not change them.
"The impact will be to maintain the partnership the state has with private adoption agencies that facilitate the majority of adoptions in Virginia," McWaters said.
Kyle Kondik, communications director for the University's Center for Politics, said the Republican-backed bill benefitted from GOP-control in the House, as Democrats are concerned about the proposed legislation.
"Because of the Republicans' lopsided control of the House, passing this bill was a cinch there," Kondik said.
The bill could encounter friction in the Senate, however, since the chamber is divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling would cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
The Senate reviewed the bill yesterday, and it is expected to take a vote in the next few days.
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