For immediate release
HARRISBURG, PA—September 16, 2014
A bill that would allow adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate Aging and Youth Committee with an amendment that would leave many without access.
“We have an incredible opportunity for our great commonwealth to implement a strengths-based policy that honors the dignity of adopted people,” says Amanda Woolston, founder of Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights (PAR). “The amendment made today shows us more education is needed on this issue."
Introduced by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre County, 171st Legislative District), HB162 passed unanimously through the House Committee on Children and Youth, without amendments, in October 2013. Amendment A09414 would put into place a three-year window during which original parents could file a “Denial of Release” form that would bar the adoptee from accessing the original birth certificate.
Amendment A09414 allows original parents to determine if an adoptee can have access or not. In contrast, non-adopted adults born in the Commonwealth do not need parental consent to obtain their birth certificates. This means that Amendment A09414 calls for adult adoptees to be treated differently under law from all non-adopted adults. As such, PAR does not endorse HB162 with Amendment A09414 but intends to continue working with legislators to draft a bill that honors the rights of adoptees to be treated equally under law to non-adoptees.
Amendment A09414 allows original parents to determine if an adoptee can have access or not. In contrast, non-adopted adults born in the Commonwealth do not need parental consent to obtain their birth certificates. This means that Amendment A09414 calls for adult adoptees to be treated differently under law from all non-adopted adults. As such, PAR does not endorse HB162 with Amendment A09414 but intends to continue working with legislators to draft a bill that honors the rights of adoptees to be treated equally under law to non-adoptees.
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.
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.
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