Tag Archives: New Hampshire

THE SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE: SUCCESSFUL RECORDS ACCESS BILLS

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

Maine State Senator Paula Benoit believes that simplicity of language is the key to passage of records access bills. She is correct. Compare the simplicity of language of Oregon Ballot Measure 58, Alabama HB 690, HB New Hampshire SB 335 and Maine LB 1084 to the convoluted 77-page Illinois HB 4623 with its plethora of forms, preferences and vetoes which would confound a busload of Chicago lawyers. Would adopta-doyens Rep. Feigenholtz and Melisha Mitchell care to explain why it takes them 77 pages to write a bill that was covered in two sentences in Oregon, and only a couple pages in Alabama, New Hampshire and Maine? Where’s the pork? OREGONBallot Measure 58:Upon receipt of a written application to the state registrar, any adopted person 21 years of age and older born in the state of Oregon shall be issued a certified copy of his/her unaltered, original and unamended certificate of birth in the custody of the state registrar, with procedures, filing fees, and waiting periods identical to those imposed upon non-adopted citizens of the State of Oregon pursuant to ORS 432.120 and 432.146. Contains no exceptions. ALABAMAHB 690Rep(s). By Representatives Dolbare and Fuller HB690EngrossedUnder existing law, an adopted person born Continue Reading →

NEW HAMPSHIRE: REST IN PEACE MIKE WHALLEY

Posted on by — 3 Comments ↓

Bastard Nation is sad to learn of the death of Mike Walley, former Deputy Speaker of the New Hampshire House. Mike was a true friend to adoptees everywhere. He had no personal relationship to adoption. He simply believed that all adopted people should be treated like the non-adopted. His passing is a great loss to us personally and to the adoptee rights movement everywhere. New Hampshire State Rep. Janet Allen writes of Mike:At the time of our bill, he was Deputy Speaker of the House and he always understood that our bill was about civil rights not reunion. He fought hard for our bill and without his steadfast support in the House, I do not think it would have passed. With his position in leadership he was able to lend all of his clout and all of his energy to our bill. He will always be my hero. I went to high school with Mike, so we have known each other for many years. I hope that you will all join me in remembering Mike today & recognizing what an important person he was in our quest for equal access. I think that his family would find comfort in hearing Continue Reading →

NEW HAMPSHIRE: BATTIN’ 1000!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Yesterday, the State of New Hampsphire issued its 1000th original birth certificate. Adoptee rights advocates held a party to celebrate. You can read about it in Foster’s Daily Democrat. For those interested in numbers, according to the latest figures from New Hampshire Vital Stats, only 12 “do not contact” preference forms have been submitted to the state–11 in 2005; 1 in 2006 and 0 this year. New Hampshire media has reported no social disruption (including ax killings) due to the restoration of adoptee civil rights. Adoption in New Hampshire, contrary to the dire warnings of conservative secret keepers, liberal record sealers, and extremist adoption industrialists, remains healthy. Bastard Nation is proud and happy to have been a part of liberating New Hampshire adoptees from the stigma and shame of sealed birth records. Back in 2004 BN’s own Rep. Jane Allen played a key role it passing of SB335. Janet, in fact, was the first person to receive her obc when records were unsealed on the first day of business 2005 (left). She was present yesterday when No. 1000 was issued. Many worked for the New Hampshire victory, Most of these heroes have gone unrecorded and unrecognized. We’d like to thank Continue Reading →