MICHIGAN: Bill Would Extend Adoptee Rights, March 6, 2008

Take the Survey
Comments

DETROIT NEWS
March 6, 2008

Bill Would Extend Adoptee Rights
Kim Kozlowsky

A Michigan House committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow some adults adopted as children to get their original birth certificate.

"It's a great first step in getting adoptees the rights we've been entitled to all along," Daryl Royal, a moderator of the Internet mailing list michigansearching.com, said after the hearing of the Family and Children's Services Committee.

Michigan law currently allows birth certificate access to adoptees after they become adults. But those who were adopted between May 1945 and Sept 12, 1980, cannot get their original birth certificate, a situation that has left thousands of people without any clues to their family origin, genealogy or medical history.

Instead, they have a birth certificate that lists only their adopted parents.

The proposed bill also would give parents who gave their children up for adoption during those years the option of letting the state know if they're willing to be contacted. If they prefer no contact, they would be asked to fill out an updated health history.

At the hearing, several advocates lobbied lawmakers to pass the bill, pointing to states that have opened adoption records and saying they deserve to enjoy the rights that many Michigan residents take for granted.

"Closed-record adoptees have been swept under the rug for far too long," Center Line resident Dee Lindeman told the committee. "It is time to right this wrong and bring us some manner of parity with other adoptees across Michigan."

Opponents of the legislation include Bethany Christian Services, an adoption agency; Right to Life of Michigan; and the National Council for Adoption.

Though representatives from those organizations did not testify Wednesday, some lawmakers voiced concerns about disregarding a birth parent's wish not to be contacted.

"I don't want those people who don't want to be revealed to be revealed," said Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, who opposed the measure along with fellow Republican Reps. Brian Palmer of Romeo and Jack Hoogendyk of Texas Township.

Rep. Lisa Wojno, D-Warren, countered that Oregon passed a similar law 10 years ago and since then, 83 people have indicated they do not want to be contacted. Supporters also noted that research by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute showed that states with open adoption records have not seen an increase in abortions or decrease in adoptions.

An identical bill has been introduced in the Senate, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

You can reach Kim Kozlowski at or kkozlowski@detnews.com

Link to article