Policy & Practice: Advocacy
The Adoption Institute has been involved in formulating legislation, providing testimony and letters at the federal and state level on a variety of issues relating to adoption, as well as submitting information in legal cases involving adoption. For inquiries and questions, please email info@adoptioninstitute.org.
2008
03/26/2008 Letter
The Adoption Institute submitted a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee of the California state legislature, regarding SB1726 which would shorten California's 30 day revocation period for a birthparent's relinquishment from 30 days to 5 days. To read the letter submitted to the Committee, click here.
02/26/2008 Testimony and Letter
On February 26, Adam Pertman, Executive Director, submitted written testimony to the Senate Families and Public Health Committee of Missouri, regarding SB1132 permitting adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. His testimony stressed that none of the dire consequences predicted by opponents to access laws have occurred in the six states that have passed such laws or the two states that have always allowed access. To read Pertman’s letter to the committee, click here; to read his testimony, click here.
01/24/2008 Testimony and Letter
On Jan. 24 Executive Director Adam Pertman testified before the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee in support of legislation (S611) that would permit adult adoptees 18 years or older to obtain their original birth certificates. To read the testimony, click here; to read the letter submitted to the Committee, click here.
2007
12/03/2007 Testimony
On Dec. 3, the Florida Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs held a public hearing in Miami on issues relating to adoption and foster care. Executive Director Pertman presented oral comments and submitted written testimony at the hearing about Florida's ban on adoption by gays and
lesbians - the only such statutory prohibition by a state in the nation.
more
09/21/2007 Testimony
Dr. Ruth McRoy, a Senior Research Fellow of the Adoption Institute, testified on the Institute's behalf at the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights hearing on transracial foster parenting and adoption on Sept. 21 in Washington, D.C. To read her testimony (pdf file) click
here
05/02/2007 Letter
The Adoption Institute submitted written and oral testimony in support of legislation in Maine (LD1084) that would restore the rights of
adopted adults 18 and older (and their descendents) born in the state access to their original birth certificates and contact preference for
birth parents.
more
04/13/2007 Letter
The Adoption Institute submitted a letter in support of legislation in Michigan (HB4259) that would permit second parent adoptions and
allow unmarried couples to adopt jointly in the state.
more
04/02/2007 Testimony
Executive Director Adam Pertman submitted testimony in support of legislation being considered in the Missouri House
of Representatives Judiciary Committee (HB509) that would permit adopted adults 18 and over access to their original birth certificates.
more
01/21/2007 Letter
Executive Director Adam Pertman wrote a letter on behalf of the Adoption Institute to Nebraska state legislators urging them to reject
proposed bill LB6, Nebraska Safe Havens Act. more
