What would it take to move the fight for equal access of OBC's from the state level to the national?

Question

Is it feasible? What kind of initiative would be needed?

Answer 1

I believe that was attempted in 1980.   The adoption agencies panicked, grouped together (forming the NCFA) to fight it with their combined $$$$ lobbying power AND attempted to get our records sealed for 99 years!

Adoption is in the best interest of the adoptee, right.  Clearly not!

You're right, it's time to do this, again

Here's an interesting article on the subject:

http://www.americanadoptioncongress.org/...

Answer 2

if you want to change anything, you have to start with your state representative. Find out what district you are in and contact that representative with an email.

Follow up in about 5 days with a telephone call. Persistance is key. When you do make contact with their office, ask for an appointment to discuss your correspondence and cause. Contact your children family services department or adoption attorneys and ask for support.

Bring a copy of the current state law regarding records so that you can show him/her exactly what needs to be changed. Make sure that you fully understand the current law as well as the changes you want to make. Do not expect him to come up with the solution - you must do so. You must also make sure that you address the flip side of the cause. This is imperative that they see all sides but when you do discuss the 'downside' of your bill, make sure you show him or her the positive.

Make sure that you are not emotional and start crying, etc. Keep your voice clear and level. Explain how it has affected you and the 100s of thousands of other adoptees.

After your initial meeting, wait 21 days and call back stating that you are following up on your meeting of "such and such date". Persistance is key. This is going to take a lot of your time and effort. Eventually, his or her office will send you a draft copy of their amendment. This takes awhile because they have to send it to their legislative researchers who will draft this. Once you get a looksee at the bill, send it back with your comments. They will then discuss the comments and redraft the bill to include those comments.

At this point, your representative will send it out to his collegues requesting co-sponsors. You need to contact the members of your House letting them know this bill seeking co-sponsors will be coming across their desks shortly and explain the need for this bill. This process takes about 21 days.

Once your representative has received the co-sponsors, the proposed bill will be submitted to the appropriate children / family committee review and testimony. You will be invited to speak in front of them. AGAIN, you must remain calm but voice your concerns as well as the opposing side and address the opposing side's viewpoint. It doesn't hurt to look up the voting history of each member to see if they're pro-choice, pro-life, pro family, etc. the more you know about them, the better you can use that to your advantage

The Committee will then decide if this bill is worthy of going to the Assembly leaders. They could vote yes to send it on to them and if so, you need to start contacting them and get them off their butts to vote on this. They are voting to see if it goes to the floor for a full vote. Again, you must contact the assembly leadership advising them that this bill is coming across their desk and why it is important that they act quickly.

If they vote to send it to the floor for a full vote, then your work is really cut out for you. You will need to contact and meet with as many of the reps as possible. You will begin to sound like a broken record. This will be the time for amendments, open hearings, etc.

THEN, if the lower house votes yes on your bill, it will go to the upper house. . . .Repeat step 8 again . ..

IF the upper house votes yes, then it goes to the governor. Repeat Step 8 again.

It's a long process and you have to start before the house even convenes for a new session. You only have two years to make all this happen.

Answer 3

We've got the NOLA Demonstration for Adoptee Rights event coming up on July 22.  We will be able to raise more awareness to legislators from all over the country.  

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/?...

Since adoption laws are state specific, the laws can only be changed state by state.

Answer 4

Well my political party has been wanting a National Initiative policy for decades... and It's not likely ever going to happen...Which really is too bad...

Lots of things have been accomplished in states that allow Citizen Initiatives... We The People have made some great changes where we have had the right.....

The problem is that a naitional citizen initiative would include a great deal many more issues then just Birth Cirtificates...and the people in Montana don't want the people in the Majority States deciding for them what is best.

Since, marriage laws, vital statitics, educations and other things other issues are State Matters I don't think this will change too soon...

For example We do have a National (unfunded) Mandate "No Child Left Behind" and the fact is that our children are getting less today then before.