Track Legislation
Position color key: Support Monitor Oppose
Why hasn't this already happened? Can't we just get Congress to amend the Constitution?
Given that federal courts have declined to consider Constitutional arguments in support of access to OBCs and records, it appears unlikely that there will ever be a related amendment to the U.S. Constitution. History shows that state-by-state legislative reform is rarely a "one size fits all" endeavor. The majority party, lobby groups, legislator personal agendas and unrelated legislative priorities all influence potential amendments and outcomes. ARC believes that advocates in each state are the experts on policy or incremental steps for that state. This site is not intended to tell you how to think about any particular bill. Instead, its goal is to provide tools to help you make the decision for yourself.
Louisiana
Louisiana HB 450/Act 470 signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. Read the letter to the editor by adoptee and bill sponsor Rep. Charles Owen.
Iowa
HF855/SF589 was signed into law 5/19/21. Click here to learn how to order an OBC from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Arizona
HB2921/SB1831 was signed into law 6/29/21. Order a pre-1968 OBC here. In 2023, three senators have introduced more comprehensive bills.
Connecticut
HB 6105, repealed the state's previous "sandwich" law provides access to OBCs for adult adoptees, regardless of when the adoption took place. Click here for instructions about how to order a CT original birth certificate.
State
AZ
Three bills introduced and assigned to committee. Would supersede a "sandwich" bill that was amended by opponents to provide OBC access for prospective and pre-1968 adoptions. Order a pre-1968 OBC here.
CA AB1302 This bill as introduced has some restrictive provisions, but could easily be amended in committee to move CA into the green zone. Possible hearing March 19.
FL HB 373 filed and assigned to multiple committees. Restores pre-1977 language to the FL statute.
GA SB64 Would provide adult adoptees and descendants of deceased adoptees direct access to original birth certificate. Approved by Senate. Awaiting approval by House.
MN SF1279 recommended for approval by Judiciary, referred to HHS. Will likely carry over to next session.
MS SB2075 Amended in committee and approved by the Senate 2/2/23, the bill awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee.
RI H7310 expands OBC access to include descendants and legal representatives.
SD HB1231 Passed 65-4 by House, 35-0 by Senate. Signed by governor 3/23/23.
WI SB15/AB13 Introduced and assigned to committees.
SB 524 Related bill designed to help descendants of deceased adoptees obtain the OBC. Enrolled 2/25/22.
WV SB470
Introduced and assigned to committee. Relating to making adoption records accessible for medical
purposes; authorizing adult adoptees access to certain records, including adoption records
and medical history; requiring birth parents to provide certain health information; allowing
birth parents to designate a contact preference and allowing them to provide certain
information; allowing birth parents to request name redaction; providing for a name
redacting process;
Image: Billy Hathorn, SC State Senate Chamber
Federal
HR 1593, - The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021 has been approved by the US House of Representatives after being tacked onto the America COMPETES Act of 2022. See the 2/4/22 press release from Rep. Adam Smith.
HR 1952, S 938 - Intercountry Adoption Information Act of 2019
Image: Luis Velasquez
The law must be consonant with life. It cannot and should not ignore broad historical currents of history. Mankind is possessed of no greater urge than to try to understand the age-old questions: “Who am I” “Why am I?” Even now the sands and ashes of the continents are being sifted to find where we made our first step as man. Religions of mankind often include ancestor worship in one way or another. For many the future is blind without a sight of the past.
Those emotions and anxieties that generate our thirst to know the past are not superficial and whimsical. They are real and they are 'good cause' under the law of man and God.
The petition is conditionally granted.
IT IS SO ORDERED
April 9, 1979
[Signed]
WADE S. WEATHERFORD, JR.
Resident Judge, Seventh Judicial
Circuit Court, South Carolina