Bill Text: VA SB349 | 2012 | Regular Session | Prefiled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Child-placing agency; shall not be required to participate in placement of child for foster care.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0715) [SB349 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2012-SB349-Prefiled.html

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12100766D
SENATE BILL NO. 349 Offered January 11, 2012 Prefiled January 10, 2012 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-1709.3, relating to child-placing agencies; conscience clause. ---------- Patron-- McWaters ---------- Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-1709.3 as follows:

§63.2-1709.3. Child-placing agencies; conscience clause.

No private child-placing agency shall be required to consider or consent to any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would conflict with the religious tenets of any sponsor of the agency or other organization or institution with which the child-placing agency is affiliated or associated. 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 solely on the grounds that the agency has refused to consider or consent to any placement of a child for foster care or adoption in such cases. Refusal of a private child-placing agency to consider or consent to any placement of a child pursuant to this section shall not form the basis of any claim for damages.