Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Be An Adult: NO on Idaho HB544

First published on • Last updated on

A bill in Idaho will define an adult adoptee as a person who is at least 40 years old. That’s dumb, discriminatory, and insulting. Take action today with a simple and quick email or phone call to members of the senate committee hearing the bill on Monday, March 11.

NOTE: This action alert is no longer necessary. The bill did not make it out of committee, and it is no longer active.

Jump/Go To: Idaho HB544 Analysis | Emails/Contact Info | Sample Messages | Social Media

Committee Members

Email or call the senators on the committee to request a NO VOTE on HB544. Here is the members’ contact information. As always, be strong and respectful in your message, and suggested short messages are below. Feel free to be creative with your own. Use “NO on HB544” as a suggested subject line.

Plain Text Bulk Emails

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Additional Contact Information
NamePhoneEmail
Kelly Anthon (R)(208) 332-1327[email protected]
Dan Foreman (R)(208) 332-1405[email protected]
Phil Hart (R)(208) 332-1345[email protected]
Linda Hartgen (R)(208) 332-1318[email protected]
Todd Lakey (R-Chair)(208) 332-1328[email protected]
Abby Lee (R)(208) 332-1325[email protected]
Doug Ricks (R)(208) 332-1301[email protected]
James Ruchti (D)(208) 332-1406[email protected]
Melissa Wintrow (D)(208) 332-1339[email protected]

Sample Short Messages

I’m an adult. I can be sentenced to death for a crime at age 18. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can be drafted into military service for a war at age 18. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can vote at age 18. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can donate a kidney at age 18. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can be the President of the United States at age 35. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can be an Idaho state senator at age 21. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

I’m an adult. I can adopt a baby at age 18. Yet I can’t request my own birth record until age 40? That’s ridiculous. No on HB544.

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About Gregory D. Luce

I am a Minnesota lawyer, born and adopted in the District of Columbia, and the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC. I've been practicing law in Minnesota state and federal courts since 1993, and have been the executive director of Adoptees United Inc. since 2021. I also have a sense of humor.

Get Involved with Adoptees United Inc.

Logo of Adoptees United Inc.Did you find this post interesting? Then get involved nationally with Adoptees United Inc., a national tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to securing equality for all adult adopted people in the US. Find out more here, and join me and others in working for equality.

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I work hard to get the laws and facts straight in every state---and to keep them regularly updated. If you see something that's not quite right or doesn't fit your experience, let me know with either a quick comment or an email.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammy L Margriter-Walker says

    I don’t believe in children being taken from their families period and I definitely believe if someone has done that to a child that they should have access to their own birth certificate.

What’s an Original Birth Certificate?

Most adopted persons know what an original birth certificate (OBC) is. Many non-adopted people do not. An original birth certificate is the initial birth certificate created shortly after a person's birth. For most people, it is their only birth certificate.

For persons born and adopted in the United States, a new or "amended" birth certificate replaces the OBC once the adoption is final. In addition to replacing the original, the names of the birth parents are also replaced with the names of the adoptive parents. Some states may also alter or omit additional information on a new certificate, including the adoptee's specific place of birth.

Depending on state law, an original birth certificate is sealed and remains unavailable to the adopted person, even when they become an adult. If you are not adopted, your original birth certificate is your only birth certificate---and it is always available to you upon request.