2020 was obviously not a good year for just about all of us–including the adoptee rights movement. No new bills were passed, and the couple that did move closer died from Covid neglect. You can read a full report in our Legislative Roundup published in November. The only change in that report is the death of the short and simple level-the-field Massachusetts HD 1892, which was starved to death after House passage when it got stuck in committee and never made it out for a floor vote. For how many years now has this bill, which should be a no brainer, lingered a slow death by Beacon Hill neglect? We haven’t heard any plans for 2021 yet,, but this bill comes back each session, and we expect it will resurrect this year
The 2021 Bastard Nation Legislative Page is now live. Links to our Leg. Pages for 2014-2020 are located on that page
So far, there are only a few pre-filed bills, two on baby boxes (Florida), one on Safe Haven (Texas), and one OBC bill–SB 331– in Maryland. The latter is a major focus this year.
Last year the Maryland House unanimously passed HB 1039, a clean bill that restored OBC rights to all Maryland adoptees at age 18, with no restriction or condition. It contained a genuine Contact Preference Form and sunsetted the few on-file Disclosure Vetoes, converting them to the CPF “no contact” preference. The bill was sent to the Senate where it suffered Covid neglect.
The good news is that the state legislature hasn’t changed. That is, there were no legislative elections last November, so all members remain in place. This means that SB 331, identical to last year’s HB 1039, is in the hopper and already scheduled for a public hearing on January 26 in the Senate. We will keep you informed on what you can do to push this along. Since it passed unanimously in the House last year, there should be no problem this year in the House when it gets a hearing. Hopefully, it will fly through both chambers–with your help.
Other states will see bills, but at this point, all bets are off on what to expect. Covid relief and money matters are lawmakers’ main concerns. Once we have definite documentation on these bills, they will be posted.
Please join Bastard Nation and our allies and partners to make 2021 a restoration year for Class Bastard. Sign up for Bastard Nation advocacy. Follow our Legislative Page. Respond to action alerts. We can win! Be a part of that victory!
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New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
