The Boy Scouts of America officials announced Monday that they may lift the current ban on gay youths and leaders, the New York Times reported.  

If the national ban is lifted, local chapters will decide whether or not to allow gay scouts to join.

"The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents," Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith said in a statement. "This would mean that there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization's mission, principles, or religious beliefs."

An announcement regarding the proposed policy change could come as early as next week after the national board votes whether or not to approve it, according to USA Today. 

Zach Wahls, founder of the group Scouts for Equality, told the New York Times that the potential policy shift would be "a step in the right direction" but that it would still give some Scout units the ability to discriminate.