Family Law News

Bill Giving Adult Adoptees Access To Birth Records  Progresses  In N.Y.

Bills that would allow adopted people 18 and older to obtain their original birth certificates and medical histories in New York State, subject to a contact preference filed by birthparents, moved to committee in both chambers of the state legislature.

The senate bill (S00235), sponsored by Senator Bill Larkin, was referred to the Health Committee on Jan. 3; the Assembly companion bill (A02277), sponsored by Rep. David Koon, was referred to the Health Committee on Jan. 16. The legislation establishes a “Bill of Adoptee Rights” and allows birthparents to file contact preferences anytime, “but does not limit the right of the adopted person to receive updated health information.”

States that currently allow adopted adults to receive a copy of their original birth certificates are Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oregon and Tennessee. States considering similar legislation in 2007 include Maine, Missouri, North Carolina and Minnesota. To read the proposed N.Y. measure, go to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ and search by the bill number.

A New York lawyer who specializes in the new field of Internet Law can assist you with all of your legal worries pertaining to Internet / Cyber laws. From assistance in patent application to filing claims of infringement, an Internet lawyer will help you with any topic of concern. Contact us know.

	Did You Know?
	Child custody is an important family issue. Child custody is a term that refers to the bundle of rights and responsibilities that a parent carries with respect to his/her child. Child custody includes numerous concepts, some of which overlap and some that are distinct. Your family lawyer in your state can help you make these distinctions.