In the name of “adoption reform, the Prince Edward Assembly is attempting to sneak a bill through that will continue to abrogate the right of the province’s adoptees to access their Original Birth Certificate, without restriction or conditions. A final vote can take place as early as this coming Tuesday, November 26.
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New York State FAQ on OBC access
The Adoptee Rights Law Center has released an updated FAQ on S3419, the New York law scheduled to go into effect on January 15, 2020. that restores the right of all New York Adoptees to access their Original Birth Certificates.
Continue readingBastard Nation Statement: Cuomo Signs Historic Adoptee Rights Bill. Leaves No One Behind!
Bastard Nation, the Adoptee Rights Organization is delighted that New York governor Andrew Cuomo today signed S3419. This historic bill restores the right, of Original Birth Certificate (OBC) access to all the state’s adoptees without restriction or condition– a right once held by all New York adoptees. It passed both Houses in June, and although we were confident that Gov. Cuomo would sign the bill, it was a long, nail-biting wait.
Continue readingt’s been almost four months since passage of S3419, New York’s historic equal rights legislation. Yet one critical step remains: making sure Governor Andrew Cuomo signs S3419 into law. While the bill is not yet on his desk, we have continued to let him know how important this bill is for all of us. That’s where you also come in, likely again.
Even if you have done so already, contact Governor Cuomo once more to request that he sign S3419 into law. The bill will end more than eight decades of secrecy surrounding adoptees’ original birth certificates. It’s important for all of us to contact him. It’s important now whether you have contacted him before or whether have never contacted him at all. Your voice has made a difference in the past and it continues to make a difference today.
Continue readingMontgomery/Weprin Letter to Andew Cuomo regarding A5494/HB3419
New York Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Rep .David Weprin sent this letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo requesting his immediate signing of S5494/HB3419.
Continue readingWe’ve been assured by top officials in New York that there is zero confusion between S3419, our adoptee rights bill, and another bill related to termination of parental rights.
Continue readingNeither Rome nor Albany Are Burning!
The #WeprinMontgomery Bill stands on its own among other bills. It remains a 𝙏𝙊𝙋 priority. We heard feedback like “that’s comparing apples to oranges” followed by laughter. The fact that we even had to address these rumors 𝙞𝙨 laughable and insulting; not just to us but to the legislators themselves. They, and their staff, actually read for comprehension and are aware of what bills are what.
Continue readingWe have always committed to calling it straight. This update just went out by email to our nearly 2,000 supporters, assuring that things are good, despite the naysayers who cannot seem to get over our success
Continue readingWe Won! Weprin/Montgomery Passes New York House. On to Cuomo!
After an excruciating 2-day of hurry-up-and-wait in the Codes and Rules Committees, and then the Floor A5494/ the Weprin/Montgomery bill passed the New York House. The Senate passed it two weeks ago. Gov Andrew Cuomo has indicated he will sign the bill when it hits his desk.
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INCLUDES UPDATES The news is positive but not definitive. We hope to see A5494 move to the floor today or late tonight. At the same time, it appears that the Assembly may stay in town an extra day or two to finish up business, which could include passage of our bill. As with all legislative work, it is unpredictable until the end. But we don’t give out false hope when there’s no hope for passage—nor will be pessimistic and give outsized influence to opponents when that’s also not warranted. There is hope and we will work with that hope today and to the very end.
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