Robert McDonnell

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate voted 22-18 on Thursday to approve a bill that would allow private adoption and foster care agencies to deny placement of children based on religious or moral beliefs, including disapproval of homosexuality.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has advised the State Board of Social Services it does not have the authority to change regulations that would permit gay couples to adopt.

Virginia’s Gov. Robert McDonnell is considering whether to undo regulations that would allow gay couples to adopt children in Virginia through any state-licensed agency, private or religious.