Friends of “clean” adoption reform,

EXCELSIOR!! Moments ago, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed our “CLEAN” S3419 into New York Law! We thank every soul reading this for your love and support! We have made monumental history for adoptee human and civil rights and equality! The law is slated to go into effect on January 15th, 2020!!

THANK GOVERNOR CUOMO FOR SIGNING S3419!

518-474-8390

https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

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PRESS RELEASE FROM GOVERNOR’S OFFICE!

GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LEGISLATION ALLOWING ADOPTEES TO RECEIVE A CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE AT AGE 18

Legislation Allows for Adoptees, Their Direct Descendants or Lawful Representative to Receive A Certified Birth Certificate


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation allowing adoptees for the first time to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate when they turn 18-years-old. This measure (S3419/A5494) helps ensures that all adult New York adoptees will have the same unimpeded right to information about their birth and biological parents.

"Where you came from informs who you are, and every New Yorker deserves access to the same birth records - it's a basic human right," Governor Cuomo said. "For too many years, adoptees have been wrongly denied access to this information and I am proud to sign this legislation into law and correct this inequity once and for all."

This legislation removes the right of government agencies to restrict the type of information made available to adopted persons and removes the previous barriers to receive information about biological parents to identify medical data that can prevent preventable diseases or untimely death. Under this new law, the adopted person's lawful representative or their descendants will also be able to get access the birth certificate if the adoptee is deceased.

Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, "I am so proud to have been the Senate sponsor of the Clean Bill of Adoptee Rights and I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this historic piece of legislation. This has been long overdue. We owe our success to the advocacy of thousands of adult adoptees who have fought tirelessly on this issue for over 20 years. The level of support I received for this legislation from adult adoptees all across the state and the nation was astounding. It is important that they have the right to seek answers about their health, their family history and their heritage"

Assemblyman David I. Weprin said, "The signing of this adoptee rights bill is a momentous step forward for adoptees across New York State. After many decades, adoptees will finally share in the same human and civil rights as other New Yorkers who are free to access their family histories and medical backgrounds. I commend Governor Cuomo for signing this landmark bill ending discrimination against adoptees statewide and I thank Senator Velmanette Montgomery for carrying this bill the Senate."
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WHAT’S NEXT IN 2019?

1. Department of Health:

• We will remain in close contact with the Governor’s Executive staff and the Department of Health. We will assist if desired and / or appropriate, as they work to specify the new procedure for completing requests for copies of adoptee original birth certificates.
• We will report all details to you. All specific procedures, such as forms to complete a request to the Department of Health, and the nominal fee.

WHAT'S NEXT IN 2020?

1. January 15, 2020 (Wednesday):

• Law: The “clean” Law of Adoptee Rights will go into effect on this very great day in New York history (1/15/20)!
• Process: The Department of Health is to be prepared to receive applications and nominal fees to begin processing requests for adult adoptee original birth certificates.
• Joy: Smile New York adoptees and direct line descendants! This is the day we will regain equal citizenship in the Empire State for the first time since 1936! We thank all supporters!!

2. Beyond:

• Our work to support adoptee equality will continue!

WE CONTINUE TO THANK:

• You—In June, we made history with overwhelming legislative passage of “clean” adoption reform!! Thank you for your ongoing support of our human and civil rights appeal. Including you, we count 9,700+ petition supporters and rising—Please keep sharing! Let’s push to 10,000+ supporters!!
• Sponsors Assemblymember Weprin and Senator Montgomery. And over 100 legislative cosponsors!
• Allied advocates from across the state, including our American Adoption Congress (AAC) members and those from the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition (NYARC).
• The American Adoption Congress, where Tim also serves, for ongoing support. Check out, join and support the AAC! Go to the 2020 Conference in San Diego (April 15 – 18, 2020)!

Contact Tim with outreach updates, questions or news you’d like to share! tmw713@gmail.com

Adoptee rights are human rights!

Adoptee rights are civil rights!

Adoptee rights ARE AGAIN New York rights!

Please stay tuned for further updates.

Tim, Doris and Jennifer