HAWAI’I: ACTION ALERT – STOP HB1830 BABY DUMP OVERRIDE!

BASTARD NATION ACTION ALERT!

Recently the Hawai’i legislature overwhelmingly passed HB 1830, a “standard” Safe Haven bill that permits individuals to anonymously abandon newborns at various locations with no legal consequences. Governor Linda Lingle vetoed this bill as she vetoed a similar bill in 2003.

As early as July 10th or 11th, the legislature will call a Special Session to override Governor Lingle’s veto. Proponents of HB 1830 have announced a media blitz to push the override.

The big bucks trade lobby, the National Council for Adoption and its friends, have fed the Hawai’i legislature a line of misrepresentations about the need, use, and “success” of “safe havens.” The truth is, NCFA, initiated “safe haven” laws across the country in a death-throe attempt to thwart adoptee identity rights and the restoration of the right of adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates. The American Adoption Congress, Concerned United Birthparents, Origins-USA, Ethica, The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Children, the Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, Spence-Chapin Services to Family and Children, Holt International, and American Coalition of Fathers and Children are among national organizations that oppose “safe havens.” In Hawai’i, Adoption Circle Hawai’i opposes.

DOWN WITH SAFE HAVENS!
Hawai’i is the place to start. We have the support of the Governor. It’s our job to convince legislators that Governor Lingle’s reasons for vetoing HB 1830 are right on target. HB 1830:

1. removes the rights of fathers and extended family members;

2. encourages parents to abandon newborns rather than seek help;

3. gives complete anonymity to anyone who abandons and requires no proof of legal custody;

4. ignores Hawai’i’s cultural traditions of ohana, hatai, and extended family care;

5. strips native Hawai’ians of family history, ethnic identity, and records; thus denying them eligibility for dedicated government benefits to which they are entitled.

Click here to read the HB1830

CONTACT INFORMATION:
One email to each of these addresses will go to the entire legislature:

HOUSE: [email protected]>
SENATE: [email protected]

HOUSE FAX, PHONE AND EMAIL—individual members

SENATE FAX, PHONE, AND EMAIL – individual members