Legislation

Legislation: Where We Stand, What You Can Do

First published on March 22, 2021 • Last updated on March 23, 2021

As we move into a critical period in many state legislative sessions—and as the U.S. Congress essentially moves forward with a new session—here’s where we stand and what all of us can do today.

The Sham Promise of ‘Integrated Birth Certificates’

First published on September 15, 2020 • Last updated on January 24, 2023

Mandating a single solution in the form of a badly thought-through integrated birth certificate? That’s wrong, and I reject it.

How Will COVID-19 Issues Affect Me?

First published on March 31, 2020 • Last updated on April 13, 2020

Overview of COVID-19 issues that may impact adopted people beyond the immediate threat to a person’s health, community, and economic safety.

Join Me As I Update the Adoptee Rights Map

First published on January 14, 2020 • Last updated on January 14, 2020

On January 15, 2020, at 12:01am I will update the adoptee rights map to show the unrestricted status of New York. Wanna be there when I do?

My Big Problem With Wisconsin’s Bill

First published on December 20, 2019 • Last updated on December 21, 2019

I support the unrestricted release of identifying information. I do not support mixing that all up and calling it an OBC under a different name.

Updated Info about New York’s Equal Rights Bill

First published on June 22, 2019 • Last updated on June 24, 2019

An updated list of questions and answers about the Weprin/Montgomery Bill, which was finally passed in the New York Assembly on June 20, 2019

Toeing the Bottom Line

First published on April 18, 2019 • Last updated on April 18, 2019

With pressure to amend a Texas bill to add discriminatory provisions, it’s unclear if STAR will now “wink” and let it happen.

Is This the Year for Iowa? No.

First published on March 6, 2019 • Last updated on April 23, 2019

Clean bills have made it out of the first legislative “funnel”—a deadline in Iowa for bills to be voted out of committee.

Can You Crowdsource Equal Rights Legislation?

First published on December 27, 2018 • Last updated on May 22, 2023

Help draft a clean Minnesota bill that provides an unrestricted right for all adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth records upon request.

Midterms and Adoptee Rights

First published on November 1, 2018 • Last updated on November 1, 2018

As part of an upcoming gathering of national and local adoptee rights advocates in Austin, Texas, I am putting together resources on what to expect from key states after upcoming midterm elections.