Legislative Watch

Winter 2001

Canada:

Ontario:

MPP Marilyn Churley expects to put forward her private members bill again (with contact vetoes) in the Spring 2001 session of the Legislature. It was withdrawn from the Fall 2000 session due to timing.

United States:

California:

Have you had a bad experience attempting to get your non-identifying information or other legally accessible files from the State of California? Has L.A. County lost your files, made you wait two or three years for YOUR information? California Open2000 wants to hear from you, whether it's balky agencies, rude clerks, or just plain stupidity, send us your stories. Email open2000@ryzome.com with your stories or write to us at the address below. Visit the California Open 2000 website at http://www.ryzome.com/Open2000/ or write to us at California Open2000, 322 Cortland Ave., PMB #130 San Francisco, CA 94110 and get involved today!

Georgia:

E.A.G.L.E. For Georgians is the grass roots effort of many dedicated and concerned individuals in Georgia seeking to restore adult adoptee rights. EAGLE stands for Equal Access Guarantees Legal Equality. EAGLE seeks to obtain the same legal status for Georgia-born adult adoptees that non-adopted citizens of Georgia enjoy and generally take for granted. Although Georgia does have a reunion registry, like so many other states, Georgia-born adoptees can not have access to any original records without going through a very difficult court process, which rarely succeeds.

EAGLE has been formed to get a bill drafted, have it sponsored and submitted to the Georgia Legislature during its next session, as well as to raise public awareness of our issue. EAGLE has met with possible supporters of their bill, as well as with people who may be able to draft it. They are aiming to pass a 'clean' bill that will restore unrestricted access to OBCs and all vital statistics documents (like Alabama 's recent open records law). EAGLE is prepared to pull their bill if ANY restrictions are placed on the original bill that gives the right of veto to another person. To learn more email eagleforgeorgians@yahoo.com or visit EAGLES's website at http://eagleforgeorgians.homestead.com

Missouri:

Missouri will be introducing legislation again this upcoming session. The sponsor knows to pull the bill if anything like a veto provision is added. Email quilter55@yahoo.com or call Patti Roderique to get involved locally: 573-483-2993. Visit the Missouri Open 2000 website at http://site.yahoo.com/adoptee-rights for more information and how to get involved.

Washington:

Following proudly in the footsteps of Oregon, Washington State Open 2001 is launching an Initiative campaign starting January 2001. This Initiative will allow for adult adoptee access of their original birth certificate. Open 2001 is currently looking for volunteers from the WA State area to assist in this effort. To find out how to volunteer, or how to donate to the Open 2001 Adoptee Rights Initiative Fund, visit http://www.open2001.org. or email open2001@absnw.com. You can also call or fax us at 1-888-453-0584.