Published: Saturday, February 11, 2012
State House: Adoptees should have access to records
OLYMPIA -- A bill passing unanimously in the Washington state House would allow adult adoptees access to their birth certificates unless a biological parent has filed an affidavit to the contrary.
The bill would place Washington among a handful of states, including Oregon, that allow adult adoptees to access their birth certificates.
The measure would also allow adoptees unconstrained access to non-identifying information about their birth parents, which could shed light on adoptees' medical histories.
Adoptees born in Washington state after October 1, 1993, have long had these rights. The bill applies to those born before that date.
It would also allow adoptees to learn whether a birth parent who has filed an affidavit of nondisclosure is dead.
The bill cleared the House Saturday, and now heads to the Senate.
The bill would place Washington among a handful of states, including Oregon, that allow adult adoptees to access their birth certificates.
The measure would also allow adoptees unconstrained access to non-identifying information about their birth parents, which could shed light on adoptees' medical histories.
Adoptees born in Washington state after October 1, 1993, have long had these rights. The bill applies to those born before that date.
It would also allow adoptees to learn whether a birth parent who has filed an affidavit of nondisclosure is dead.
The bill cleared the House Saturday, and now heads to the Senate.
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