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RESTORING ACCESS TO ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES (OBCs) FOR ADULT ADOPTEES IN TEXAS
CURRENT BILLS 2023: HB 2006, SB 2237
WHO WE ARE
A statewide 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization composed of more than 2,000 Texas adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents dedicated to advocating for legislation that would restore access to original birth certificates (OBCs) for adult adoptees in Texas.
WHAT WE WANT
All adopted adult Texans to have OBC access.
WHY NOW?
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Texas-wide demonstration of support: 2021 poll by Mike Baselice shows 77% of Texans support an adopted adult’s right to their birth record.
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Adoption agencies including Gladney Center for Adoption, Buckner, and Abrazo Adoption Associates are speaking out against outdated, discriminatory law.
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2023, Rep. Cody Harris, an adoptive father, files HB 2006.
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2023 HB 2006 receives 187 supportive statements on the online Public Health Committe portal.
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2023 Senator Morgan LaMantia files SB 2237 in 2023.
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2021 Rep. Cody Harris, an adoptive father, carried HB 1386.
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2021 HB 1386 garnered 184 supportive statements… a total of 45 pages on the online Public Health Committee portal.
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2021 HB 1386 was unanimously voted out of the Public Health Committee and passed the house with 144 "yea" votes.
HISTORY
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Prior to 1957, all parties to an adoption in Texas were able to access the OBC.
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The general public could not access this information.
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In 1957, Texas sealed OBCs, even for the parties to an adoption, based on the prevailing and false beliefs about the impact of secrecy.
CASE LAW
TENNESSEE: Doe v. Sundquist (U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit 1997, TN Supreme Court 1999)
OREGON: Doe 1-7 vs. Oregon (1999)
BIPARTISAN AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT
ADOPTEE OBC ACCESS HAS:
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Long-standing, broad, bipartisan support in Texas and other states.
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Similar laws passed in other states.
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Organizational support: National Association of Social Workers, North American Council on Adoptable Children, National Center on Adoption and Permanency, The American Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, Buckner Children and Family Services, Gladney Center for Adoption, Abrazo Adoption Associates, Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), Concerned United Birthparents, and more.