May 30 through June 3, 2022
The last few days and weeks of legislative sessions involve frenetic work to pass bills before they die, particularly in state legislatures. It’s also when crucial support is needed from everyone who is engaged in adoptee rights work or who wish to support adoptee rights in the United States. Like last year, we need your help again today. Be an advocate, supporter, ally, and trusted friend. Take action today and throughout this 2022 National Week of Action for Adoptee Rights.
Actions: Adoptee Citizenship | Louisiana | Massachusetts
Pending: Rhode Island
URGENT TODAY. Pass Louisiana HB450
Who Should Take Action: Louisiana Residents and Impacted Adoptees
Background and Issue
HB450 in Louisiana is an equal rights bill that is on Senate calendar for full passage. Advocates are asking only for Louisiana constituents or Louisiana adoptees to contact Senators ahead of the vote by the full Senate, which could come within the next few days, if not sooner. Urgent action by impacted adoptees and constituents is needed to push the bill to a vote and enactment.
Action Needed
Contact Louisiana State senators to request YES on HB450 when it comes before the full Senate for vote, which could be as early as Wednesday, June 1. Inform legislators that the bill has widespread bipartisan support, not only among their colleagues but from multiple organizations connected to adoption. Suggested language and a list of Louisiana senators to contact is here (or click on the button below). Louisiana residents, impacted adoptees, and birthparents who relinquished in Louisiana are the focus of this action.
CURRENT AND ONGOING: US Citizenship for Intercountry Adoptees
Who Should Take Action: Everyone
Background and Issue
The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021 is a critical piece of federal legislation that closes a discriminatory loophole in US immigration law, one that denies U.S. citizenship to thousands of intercountry adoptees who decades ago were legally adopted by U.S. citizen parents. The loophole relates primarily to the age of the adoptee—denying citizenship to those born prior to February 27, 1983. It remains a critical piece of legislation that must be enacted this Congressional session.
Action Needed
Contact your Senators today to request that intercountry adoptee citizenship provisions remain in a negotiated bill. If your Senator is already supportive, thank them and ask what you can do to make US citizenship for all intercountry adoptees a reality, no matter the adoptee’s date of birth. Suggested language and a list of US Senators is here (or click on the button below). I encourage every person to contact their Senators to express support for this crucial equal rights bill.
ONGOING: Pass Massachusetts H2294
Who Should Take Action: Everyone, and Especially Massachusetts Residents
Background and Issue
H2294 (and its companion S1440) is one of the simplest adoptee equal rights bills ever. The bill does one thing: removes a date-based restriction that discriminates against adopted people born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008. The bill is simple, fair, and reestablishes equality for all adoptees in the state, yet it fail each session.
It’s time the Senate bring the bill to a vote. The votes are there.
Action Needed
Contact leadership in the Massachusetts Senate to express your support of H2294 and to request that the bill be brought out of committee and set for a vote in the full Senate. Suggested language and contact information is provided (click on the button below). You do not need to be a Massachusetts resident to support this bill. If you are, however, your voice is doubly important and you should indicate that you are a Massachusetts voter. And if you are impacted by the bill you should also include that information.
PENDING. Rhode Island: Senate Passage of HB7310
This action is pending to determine if it is needed. The pending bill is generally non-controversial and may pass easily.
Background and Issue
This bill does one simple thing: expands who qualifies to obtain a copy of an adoptee’s original birth certificate to include direct line descendants of the adopted person. It’s a no brainer and should pass but if we need to push legislators we will do so with this action.
Action Needed
No action is needed at this time. Check back later or monitor my Twitter feed to get the most up to date information.
Resource: Adoptees United Legislative Tracking
Adoptees United Inc. provides analysis of pending legislation as well as constant updates on active bills. Click on a state with an active bill (marked by dark blue) for more information or go to the page that provides updates on federal legislation impacting adult adopted people, which is also listed on the AU website.
2021 Legislation