EASTON (PA) EXPRESS-TIMESMarch 12, 2008
Birth records focus of debate
March 12, 2008
By Trish G. Graber
TRENTON | Amy Lerke-Gonzalez always wondered whether she looked like her birth mother.
But the Washington resident, adopted at 2 days old, never sought out her birth mother.
"I always felt like my mother who adopted me was my mother," said Lerke-Gonzalez.
At 40 years old, Lerke-Gonzalez is still unsure whether or not she will ever contact her birth mother.
But Lerke-Gonzalez, herself an adoptive parent, is sure of one thing: She and other adoptees should at least have the opportunity to learn about their roots.
A state proposal, which has been debated for more than 20 years, is again making its way through the Legislature and would give adoptees the ability do so.
The bill would unseal state adoption records, providing adoptees access to their original birth certificate at the age of 18. It would also allow the adoptive parents of a minor access to the information.
Advocates who have pushed for the measure say that adoptees have the right to know their cultural background as well as their medical history.
"We've done nothing to get born at a time when our parents either believed or were persuaded that they couldn't care for us, and we get punished," said Pam Hasegawa, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Coalition for Adoption Reform and Education.
According to Hasegawa, about 150,000 adoption records remain sealed in New Jersey.
Seven states allow access to records
Only seven states allow adoptees access to their original birth certificates, according to NJCARE. They are Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oregon and Tennessee.
Typically, an amended birth certificate is issued for adopted children, naming their adoptive parents and oftentimes giving the child a new name.
The legislation to provide adoptees with their original records has remained controversial because opponents believe a birth mother was guaranteed the right to privacy when she gave up her child.
"Some of these cases are sad; they involve people being raped by family members," said Patrick Brannigan, director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference. "And they were told that they can go on and live their lives and the child will be nurtured and comfortable."
Brannigan has advocated for amending the measure to allow the information to be distributed only when both the birth parents and adoptive parents agree to it.
Advocates for opening the records to adoptees have shown no signs of making such a concession. And supporters, like Lerke-Gonzalez, remain adamant.
"I think that once a child is 18 that they should know," Lerke-Gonzalez said. "I think it helps in a lot of ways, not just health-wise but for their own heart."
Lerke-Gonzalez learned of her mother's background after receiving a letter 17 years ago from the New York state registrar. It said her mother was trying to contact her and included a phone number for her biological brother, Max.
Lerke-Gonzalez made the call and spoke to Max's wife.
She never called her birth mother.
"I just really didn't feel that I had anything to say to her," she said.
Lerke-Gonzalez never sought out her medical information -- but, advocates believe, at least she had the ability to do so.
Advocates hope bill finally passed
Advocates are hoping that this year a law will be enacted to give others the same opportunity.
The state proposal was approved by the Senate last week.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, would unearth original birth certificates for adoptees.
However, it would allow a one-time, one-year window from the time the law is signed for birth parents to contact the state to specify that they want their identities kept private.
If their identities are withheld, birth parents would have to disclose their medical, cultural and social history, which would be provided to the adoptee upon request.
Birth parents could also stipulate if and how they would like to be contacted.
"This bill has been around in the state Legislature for a long time, and I believe we've been successful in crafting a measure which gives birth parents ample protection, should they desire it," said Vitale.
The measure must still be considered by the General Assembly.
Trish Graber is Trenton correspondent for The Express-Times. She can be reached at 609-292-5154.
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