Legislative Action : State Legislative Activity

Current State Legislative Activity

Colorado – (HB 1330)

A “second parent adoption” bill that allows cohabitating nonmarried couples to adopt has been signed by Governor Bill Ritter.  Earlier this year, NCFA wrote a letter advising the governor of the harmful effect this legislation could have on adopted children, who, like all children, benefit from the increased security and permanence inherent to committed, married parenting.

Connecticut – (SB 1083/HB 7388)

Although Governor Rell exercised veto power to derail a mandatory openness bill in 2006, similar legislation (SB 1083) was introduced during the 2007 session, and was voted down in the joint Judiciary Committee.  Connecticut Senator Bill Finch introduced a mandatory openness policy as an amendment to an existing bill, HB 7388, but this bill also failed to pass as amended.

Hawaii – (HB 1830)

Safe haven legislation passed once again in Hawaii, but the bill has been vetoed by Governor Linda Lingle, just as similiar legislation was in 2003.  NCFA, which wrote to Governor Lingle earlier this year to voice its support for state safe haven policies, is disappointed in the governor's decision to veto HB 1830.  For HB 1830 to become law, the Hawaii legislature must vote for a veto override. 

Massachusetts – (S 63)

A mandatory openness bill introduced during the new legislative session has been referred favorably out of the House Ways and Means committee. If passed, S 63 will make birthparent identifying information available to all adopted individuals 18 or older whose adoptions were finalized on or before July 1974 or on or after January 2008.  Immediate action is needed to ensure that the rights of birthparents are protected in Massachusetts.

Michigan – (HB 4259)

Another “second parent adoption” bill has been favorably referred by the House Judiciary Committee and awaits a vote in the full House of Representatives.

New Jersey – (A 2557)

After more than 25 years of mandatory openness lobbying and activism, the Assembly leadership ended efforts to introduce a bill that would have threatened the privacy rights of past and future birthmothers. The coalition opposed to the bill, led by NCFA, made every effort to negotiate a reasonable compromise, but in the end Assembly leadership decided that the drafted legislation was too complicated and constitutionally unsound.  New Jersey legislators are understandably weary of this battle, and in future sessions it may prove more difficult for open records advocates to press for mandatory openness.

New York – (S 235, A 02277)

The NY legislature will consider companion bills that will retroactively open the original birth records of all individuals whose adoptions were finalized in New York. Additionally, the bills eliminate the option of confidential adoption for all women with unintended pregnancies who place children for adoption.

North Carolina – (HB 445)

An ill-advised bill would have made available all past and future birth certificates upon request, but the House Judiciary I (Civil) Committee opted instead for a confidential intermediary system to facilitate contact between interested parties to adoption.  North Carolina is currently one of a small handful of states with no statewide mutual consent registry.  NCFA strongly advocates for the fair and just policy of mutual consent, and hopes that such a system will one day be established for all parties to adoption in North Carolina.