[thesearchguru]

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
(as of 5/27/03)


Alabama
Since the law passed in May 2000, approximately 1,000 adult adoptees have obtained copies of their original birth certificates (OBC). The law has no restrictions.

Delaware
Under the Delaware law which took effect in January 1999, 472 adoptees have obtained copies of their OBC. Under the disclosure veto provisions of the bill, 15 birth parents have not consented to the release of information.

Oregon
In Oregon, where the law became effective on May 30, 2000, over 7,000 adult adoptees have received OBC. Contact preference forms have been filed by 447 birth parents, with 367 agreeing to contact directly or through an intermediary.

Tennessee
In Tennessee adult adoptees receive copies of most adoption records in addition to the OBC. Birth parents may file a contact veto; however, this does not preclude the release of records to the adoptee. From July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, adoption records were released to over 400 persons.


LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY - 2003

Connecticut
Raised Bill No. 6637 would give adopted adults, age 21 or older, the right to a copy of OBC. Birth parent(s) may file a contact preference form. No action was taken by the committee prior to the end of the session.

Georgia
Letter to the Rules Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives. Please click here.

SB 192 would enable adopted adults, age 21 or older, to obtain a copy of OBC. SB 55 proposes changes to the Georgia Reunion Registry to include, among other things, release of non-identifying information to an adoptee at age 18; release of identifying information to an adopted adult if birth parent(s) signed a consent; the right of the birth parent(s) to request identifying information when an adoptee has reached the age of 21. SB 192 and SB 55 passed the Senate unanimously on March 26, 2003, and moved to the House where both bills were merged into one as SB 55.

National Council for Adoption (NCFA) opposed the bill, arguing that giving adopted adults access to their OBC would “undermine” the respect that society and law has for the adoptive family as the child’s forever family. On the last day of the legislative session, an amendment, introduced by a legislator/adoptive father, stripped the OBC provisions from SB 55. With the deletion, it passed the House by a vote of 117-47.

Louisiana
Senate Bill 941 would enable adopted adults to access their original birth records, including agency and/or court records. The bill was introduced in late March and scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April. The bill died in committee by a vote of 4 to 1.

Massachusetts
Senate, No. 1040 would enable adopted adults, age 18 or older, to obtain a copy of OBC. Birth parent(s) may elect to file a contact preference form. The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee and there has been no recent activity.

Missouri
SB 322 would allow adopted adults, age 18 or older, to obtain a copy of OBC. The Senate committee voted “do not pass” on the bill; therefore, it was not sent to the floor for a vote by the full Senate.

Nevada
SB 267 was introduced on March 12, 2003. It would allow adopted adults, age 18 or older, to access and obtain copies of certain adoption records, including the original birth certificate. The bill was assigned to an interim committee; no further action will be taken in 2003. For more information, contact Jean Uhrich, acconet@attbi.com.

New Jersey
S-2067 and A-3136 are identical bills allowing access to OBC by adopted adults with some restrictions. For more information, contact Judy Foster, AAC’s NJ representative, at jfoster7@optonline.net.

[Laurie S]

is there anything new about New York State.
Please e-mail me at laurie@cnyconnect.net if there is, Thank you Laurie.

[thesearchguru]

So far I have not received any new updates on New York State. I will post them as soon as I receive any new information.




Adoption Genealogist



Other great websites to check out:
http://www.adoptionchat.com
http://www.adoptionlists.com
http://www.adoption.com
http://www.adopting.org
http://registry.adoption.com/