A New Year is Coming - Help Us

In North Carolina, adoption records which include: relinquishment papers signed by the birthmother, the birthmother's medical records, the childs medical records, the child's foster care records, the original birth certificate; are all sealed upon the finalization of the childs adoption. This being said, we know that even IF a birthmother were promised confidentiality or privacy upon the relinquishment of said child, it could never be legally upheld.

After all if she has twins and one is never adopted, that child when they become an adult will get their OBC with her name on it.

But a bigger question would be why shouldn't a birthmother be entitled to a copy of her OWN medical records of when she was in the hospital giving birth?

Also, why shouldn't the adult adoptee be entitled to a copy of their OWN medical records of before the adoption? After all those medical records are THEIRS. They do not belong to the STATE.

Next question is so why won't the legislators of North Carolina 'GET' this? Is it due to 'personal' reasons they wish not to 'GET' it? Did they possibly have a bad reunion and therefore don't believe ANY adoptee deserves the chance at the possibility of a happy reunion? Did they have a sister, aunt, or someone in the family relinquish a child and they are trying to 'protect' them, is that why some refuse to 'GET' it? If ANY of the above reasons are a legislators reason for not allowing ADULT adoptees to have a copy of their original birth certificate, should they really be serving the PEOPLE of NC, if they are letting their own PERSONAL feelings get in the way of passing law?

In 2010, Representative Margaret H. Dickson will be bringing back HB 1463, a bill to Expand the Confidential Intermediary program in NC. How will it be expanded?

It allows adult siblings and 1/2 siblings of an adult adoptee to be able to utilize the CI program. It also will allow for other adult biological family members of an adult adoptee to utilize the CI program.

This bill passed the in the House last year, but was not heard in the Senate, due to opposition there. The opposition stated if a birthmother requests not to be contacted through the CI program and one of these other people request contact, it could possibly 'out' the birthmother.

Isn't it time for our State legislators to STOP being the 'gatekeeper' of who and who cannot talk to one another within the adoption realm? They don't do this for anyone else, why should they legislate this for ADULTS in ADOPTION????

I for one would like to see this bill pass. If you would like to see this bill be passed, please contact the NC Coalition for Adoption Reform at the link.

We need your help with this. So please contact us.