May 26, 2014
Adoption News Round-Up
We’re celebrating Memorial Day by giving you a round-up all of all the adoption news going around the internet this week!
New Jersey adoptees are another step closer to getting access to their birth records, thanks to a bill that was recently passed. According to the bill, “Birth parents of children adopted before Aug. 1, 2015 would have until the end of 2016 to ask that their names be removed. Those who do would be asked to give some medical history. Biological parents of children adopted after Aug. 1, 2015 would not have the option of redacting their names. Under the bill, birth parents of all adopted children are able to give their preferences for whether – and how – they can be contacted. They have the option of changing their choice at any time.”
A recent DC law is granting adoptions to out-of-state lesbian couples if their children were born in the District. For one couple, who children were fertilized from one of the women’s eggs, and carried by the other, this is wonderful news. According to the Washington Post, “The District is one of a handful of jurisdictions that permit second-parent adoptions with no residency rules or other restrictions.”
This adopted young woman shares the emotions she experienced when placing her first child for adoption, something she never thought she’d do. “In a million years I could not have imagined being in the same shoes as my birth mother. As a teenager I was angry, hurt, heart broken and even resented her for placing me for adoption.”
A bipartisan bill hoping to reform international adoption is meeting some criticism. “The bill would create a bureau for “vulnerable children” in the State Department — relocating international child welfare and adoption under the department’s human rights office. It would also affect U.S. agencies for international development and immigration and customs, and address issues regarding adoptions with both member and nonmember countries of The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.” But critics say that the bill is an effort by adoption agencies to try and save the money-making process of international adoption. What do you think?
Washington joins the ranks of states that are allowing adoptees access their birth certificates, including those that list out the full names of their birth mother. The state is expecting a rush of activity next month, when the bill comes into action.
If this has been a long weekend for you, we hope you’ve enjoyed it. To all who have served, are serving, or have been affected by military service, thank you for your unbelievable work, dedication and courage. We are proud to live in this country, and to be fighting here to bring families together!