An interesting article appeared in the opinion section in the Courier Post Online on December 7, 2006. The link to the article is listed above.

Apparently, the legislation in NJ that would provide adoptees access to their birth records was changed prior to the vote on Monday. The original legislation proposed one million dollars over 12 months for advertising the open access to adoptees birth records being granted. The thought process was to significantly amplify the proposed change so that natural parents who do not wish to be contacted can protect their privacy. The latest bill now under consideration by an Assembly committee has whittled the advertising funding to $90,000.

According to the article, one billboard in Salem County, NJ costs $10,000 a month to rent. The sponsor of the bill feels that clearly $90,000 won’t go far in publicizing a change in access to birth records.

The Assembly Human Services Committee is now considering the bill. The article suggests that they should find out how much advertising will cost to launch an effective advertising campaign and amend the bill accordingly. Although, some may view this as an opportunity to derail the legislation, the article points out that this change is over due and adult adoptees should have access to their original birth records just as non adopted persons in New Jersey do.

As the article states it has taken lawmakers years to come up with a solution that perfectly empowers all involved while guaranteeing the anonymity of the natural parents who don’t want to be found while giving adoptees needed access to their biological and medical history.

By amending the advertising bill in this legislation is that saying that the natural parents don't deserve notice? Doesn't natural parents have a choice? How can they make a decision if they don't know that something is changing for them to make a decision about?