June 14 2013 Fri BDE.pdf - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Bill Would Give NY Adoptees AccessTo Birth Certificate, Medical HistoryLeft-right: Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Peter W. Franklin with Adoptees WithOut Liberty(holding baby) and Assemblyman David Weprin.Photo courtesy Assemblyman Weprin’s OfficeBy Mary FrostBrooklyn Daily EagleUnder a bill proposed byAssemblyman David I. Weprin(D-Fresh Meadows), adultadoptees in New York statewould be able to obtain a copyof their original birth certificatesand a medical historyform.The bill would also providea birth parent with a form to letthe child know if the parentwanted to be contacted directlyby the child or through an intermediary.Weprin, along with cosponsorSenator VelmanetteMontgomery (D-Brooklyn)and other representatives, helda joint press conference withthe New York StatewideAdoption Reform's “UnsealedInitiative” at City Hall to supportthe “Bill of Adoptee Rights.”“It is very important to mefor all people, especiallyadoptees, to have ready accessto their birth certificates andbirth family medical recordsfor their health and the wellbeingof their families,”Senator Montgomery said in astatement.“New York State adopteesare currently denied their originalbirth certificates and inturn knowledge of their originalfamilies, ethnicities, medicalhistories and more,” saidSenator Andrew J. Lanza (R-Staten Island). “No one shouldbe denied the right to obtaininformation about themselvesconcerning medical or otherpersonal information of thenature involved here.”Amending the existingNew York adoption lawswould provide adoptees ages18 and older with birth certificatesand in many cases informationabout religious andethnic ancestry as well asmedical information.Under the bill, the adopteewould receive a certified copyof his or her original birth certificate,according to the languageof the Senate version ofthe bill. The copy would state:“This is a certified copy of anoriginal birth certificate. Thisoriginal birth certificate hasbeen superseded by anothercertificate on file with the appropriategovernment agency.”Joyce Bahr, president ofAdoption Reform's UnsealedInitiative, urged the Assemblyand the Senate to pass the bill,saying, “No other group of U.S.citizens has their identitieswithheld by the state. The Billof Adoptee Rights gives alladult adoptees the right to anon-certified copy of their birthcertificate as well as familymedical records, and does sowith respect to birth parents,who will have the option to filea contact preference if theychoose so.”Currently, a New Yorkadoptee cannot access his orher original birth certificateunless they go through thecourts, and even then, the outcomeis not guaranteed.An online petition urgingpassage of the bill has garneredmore than 8,000 signaturesat PetitionOnline.comMaine, New Hampshire,Oregon, Alabama and RhodeIsland have passed openrecords legislation; Kansasand Alaska are the only statesthat have never sealed records.TAG SALECADMAN TOWERSBLDG BKLYN HTS101 CLARK ST(BET. HENRY ST &CADMAN PL WEST)6/159-5.Rain dates :6/16/2013Huge Sale.Great Prices.Grace Church SchoolEstablished in 1928, Grace ChurchSchool is a non-sectarian school that serves140 children ranging in age from 2 to 6 yearsold in an early childhood program noted for itsemphasis on the whole child. The school encouragesevery child to grow at his or her ownpace in a multi-sensory learning environment.The development of character and of ethical and social values is an integralpart of the school's philosophy. The school also has a TogetherTime Program for toddlers, age 16 to 24 months, which encourageschildren, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, to enjoy appropriateactivities supervised by an Early Childhood Specialist. They also havea Wednesday afternoon music program for toddlers. Our New Mother'sSupport Group is led by a clinical psychologist and meets for six eightweeksessions throughout the school year to encourage first time mothersto become comfortable with their new parental role.Parents interested in a tour of Grace Church School should callfor an appointment after September. Applications for admission areavailable following a tour of the school. For tour information, please call(718) 624-4030.INBrooklyn — Section of Brooklyn Friday, Daily Eagle/Brooklyn June 14, 2013 Eagle • Brooklyn • June 14, Eagle 2013 • 17 • 17