Great news from Massachusetts today!
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, when all legislation this year seemed lost–the Massachusetts House this morning passed H1892 to restore OBC access to all Massachusetts adoptees. (No vote stats known yet). It now moves to the Senate.
Current Law: allows adoptees to access their original birth certificates without condition at age 18 if they were adopted on or before July 17, 1974, or on or after January 1, 2008.,
Bastard Nation is not affiliated with OBC for MA–Massachusetts Access, (and FB) which has worked diligently to restore OBC access in the state, but we have supported this bill and its work for years.
The bill is short and sweet:
SECTION 1. Section 2B of chapter 46 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 and 4, the words “on or before July 17, 1974 or on or after January 1, 2008”.
SECTION 2. Said section 2B of chapter 46, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 6, the words “on or after January 1, 2008”.
Yes, folks! That’s it!
It’s a shame other states can’t be as simple and straight forward!
We’ll keep you updated and let you know what exact steps need to be taken next. As of this writing, the Massachusetts Legislature is not scheduled to close until December 31, 2020.
For further reference:
Bastard Nation Massachusetts State Page
Bastard Nation 2020 Legislative Page
- Massachusetts Timeline: Chronology of a Sell-out as Published by The Daily Bastardetette, September 13, 2007 (Guide to over 2 dozen blogs written by Bastard Nation Exe. Chair Marley Greiner on the 2005-2007 OBC access campaign
New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
