Forum held on opening adoption records

By Lisa Maynard, Hillside Children’s Center Adoption Services executive director

On May 7, 2009, the Services Overview Committee of the Hillside Children’s Center Board of Directors hosted a special meeting to discuss the many perspectives on the controversial issue regarding opening adoption records and an adoptee’s right to access his or her original birth certificate. Respected ethicist, Maxine Vandewettering, served as moderator, with a panel of presenters representing different aspects of adoption. The panel was comprised of: Sally, adoptive mom to three children; Anne, adopted adult and adoptive mom; Ted, adopted adult; Mary, birthmother to a son born in 1946; and Pat, a former Hillside Social Worker in adoption.

The discussion was emotional and rich. Those in favor presented compelling personal stories and arguments for supporting access to birth records. The panelist against open records presented her thoughtful reasoning, and was equally compelling. The audience made wonderful use of the Q&A session, no doubt leaving the Forum with many more questions than answers.

National organizations are examining this issue, as well. A publication released in November 2007 by the Evan B. Donaldson Institute for Adoption for National Adoption Awareness month, (http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/research/2007_11_for_records.php) represents the most comprehensive examination to date of one of the most controversial, emotional issues in the modern adoption world: whether adopted people, once they become adults, should have access to their original birth certificates. This report suggests that all states change their laws so that the answer is "yes."

This policy paper is the result of the broadest, most extensive examination to date of the various issues related to state laws governing adult adopted persons' access to their original birth certificates. The information and recommendations in this paper are drawn from a review and analysis of past and current state laws; legislative history in states across the country; decades of experience on relevant issues; and the body of research relating to sealed and open records on the affected parties.

Among the findings in the report, "For the Records: Restoring a Right to Adult Adoptees," are:

• Prohibiting adopted people from getting their personal information raises significant civil rights concerns and potentially serious, negative consequences for their physical and mental health.
• In states that now allow access, there has been no evidence that the legal changes have caused problematic behavior by adopted persons or damage to birthmother's lives.
• Another assertion by critics of changing these laws - that abortion rates will rise and adoption rates will fall - is not supported by the evidence; in fact, it appears just the opposite occurs.

Using input from the Forum on Open Records, the Hillside Children’s Center Board and Hillside Family of Agencies Board of Directors will be making a decision on Hillside’s position to support a change in the New York State law.

If you would like to join this discussion, please email me at lmaynard@hillside.com. All voices are welcome.