RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Virginia state Senate has passed legislation allowing private adoption agencies to deny placing children in homes that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs, including opposition to homosexuality.

Thursday's 22-18 vote means the bill will likely become law: The Virginia House of Delegates has already passed an identical version
and Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell says he will sign it.

Virginia would become just the second state with such a law, which supporters said was modeled after North Dakota's.

Republican state Sen. Jeffrey McWaters of Virginia Beach says his "conscience clause" bill protects the religious rights of private child placement agencies, including dozens that contract with the state.

Opponents say the "religious freedom" claim is a smokescreen for discriminating against gay parents who could offer loving homes.