The week before Crossover, the halfway point of the legislative calendar, is traditionally one of the most productive weeks of every General Assembly session. This year was no exception. As standing committees completed their work, legislation that had made it through that part of the process was sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Occasionally, an issue that is being debated at the national level coincides with one being discussed in Richmond.  The Obama Administration recently mandated that faith-based institutions must offer health care coverage, even if such an offering violates the tenets of their faith.  This policy has generated discussion about the "conscience clause."

Conscience clauses are not new to legislation.  They are are intended to protect individuals from being required by the government to act in a manner that would violate their religious beliefs.  Without them, many faith-based organizations that perform important charitable and social work would not be able to function.  In the case of the Obama Administration's new policy edict, the change they are suggesting would affect Catholic hospitals and universities. 

The Senate this week passed out legislation that provided a conscience clause for organizations that deal with adoptions.  The bill would enable organizations that place children in families to do so in a manner consistent with the tenets of their faith or or their beliefs.  While this may seem obvious, not every state has interpreted it as such.  In one state where the courts imposed same-sex marriage, the largest private child placement agency, a division of the Catholic Church, ceased operations because of state mandates regarding child placement conflicted with their faith.

Senate Bill 349 protects these agencies, preserving an essential component of Virginia's social service network.  The passage of legislation exempts child placement agencies from being forced to comply with provisions that are in conflict with their beliefs or mission.  The bill is headed to the House, which has already passed similar legislation.