RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A new public comment period has begun on whether Virginia should allow state-licensed groups to reject prospective adoptive and foster parents because of their sexual orientation.

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The Virginia Board of Social Services opened the 30-day comment period Monday.

Last month, advocacy groups asked the board to reopen public comment on regulations approved in April that would strip a ban on discriminating against prospective parents based on sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, physical disability and family status. The board unanimously agreed.

Comments can be submitted electronically by clicking on the public comment forum section and scrolling down to "Minimum Standards for Licensed Private Child-Placing Agencies (DSS)." More than 150 comments had been posted before noon Tuesday.