HARRISBURG, PA—October 21, 2013
A bill that would allow thousands of adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates passed through the House Committee on Children and Youth on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Introduced by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre County, 171st Legislative District), HB 162, if passed into law, would restore the rights of Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees, age 19 or older, to obtain their original, factual birth certificates.
"Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights commends the consideration and efforts made last week by the House Committee on Children and Youth," says Amanda Woolston, founder of Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights. "The collective message is clear. Pennsylvania cares about providing birth record access to the citizens born within its boundaries. We are confident that this positive momentum will continue as the bill moves to the House.”
"Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights commends the consideration and efforts made last week by the House Committee on Children and Youth," says Amanda Woolston, founder of Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights. "The collective message is clear. Pennsylvania cares about providing birth record access to the citizens born within its boundaries. We are confident that this positive momentum will continue as the bill moves to the House.”
As HB162 would allow adult adoptees to access their own original birth certificates at age 19, Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights (PAR) does not consider it to be an equal rights bill. Non-adopted adults born in the Commonwealth can obtain their birth certificates at age 18. This means that HB162 calls for adult adoptees to be treated differently under law from all non-adopted adults. Pennsylvania Adoptees Rights considers HB162 to be an extremely positive step in the right direction but does not endorse the bill as being one of equal rights.
Now out of committee, HB162 will move on to the House of Representatives for consideration. The outcome of this next step will then determine if the bill will continue on to the Senate. Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights encourages all legislators to closely consider the thoughtful, affirming votes offered by committee members when making decisions on this civil rights bill.
When a child is adopted in the state of Pennsylvania, the adoptee's original, factual birth certificate is altered--or amended--to make it appear as though the adoptive parents actually gave birth to the adoptee. There is no indication on the amended birth certificate that an adoption even took place. The original, factual birth certificate is sealed away and not legally recognized. Currently, Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees (age 18+) are not allowed to access their original birth certificate. In contrast, all non-adopted adults born in Pennsylvania can obtain a copy of their original birth certificates through a simple request process.
Prior to 1984, adult adoptees born in Pennsylvania were able to access their original birth certificates just as all non-adopted adults who were born in Pennsylvania. This equality under law changed upon the enactment of Act 195, The Adoption Act of 1984, which took away the right for adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates. Because of The Adoption Act of 1984, all Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees have been treated differently from all Pennsylvania-born non-adopted adults under law for over two decades.
PAR is a grassroots group of adult adoptees, original families, adoptive families, and allies who share the common goal of influencing positive legislation that restores original birth certificate access to adult adoptees born in Pennsylvania.
For more information on HB 162 and to view the guide to adoptee rights in Pennsylvania, visit pennsylvaniaadopteerights.org.
Press Contact:
Julie Stromberg
Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights
[email protected]
717-819-1831
Prior to 1984, adult adoptees born in Pennsylvania were able to access their original birth certificates just as all non-adopted adults who were born in Pennsylvania. This equality under law changed upon the enactment of Act 195, The Adoption Act of 1984, which took away the right for adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates. Because of The Adoption Act of 1984, all Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees have been treated differently from all Pennsylvania-born non-adopted adults under law for over two decades.
PAR is a grassroots group of adult adoptees, original families, adoptive families, and allies who share the common goal of influencing positive legislation that restores original birth certificate access to adult adoptees born in Pennsylvania.
For more information on HB 162 and to view the guide to adoptee rights in Pennsylvania, visit pennsylvaniaadopteerights.org.
Press Contact:
Julie Stromberg
Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights
[email protected]
717-819-1831
Go Pennsylvania !! MAke it happen.
ReplyDeleteSara Feigenholtz
Chicago, IL.
Identity theft is a felony. Anyone who tries to stop this legislation should be charged and held accountable for their illegal activities.I was adopted in Philadelphia and had to steal my original from the lawyer's file. No kid should have to do that to find out who they really are. I was about 11 when I reclaimed my identity.
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