Adoptees Hope a Song Can Keep a Bill for Open Adoption Records Alive
Darryl McDaniels, of the hip-hop group Run-DMC, and Zara H. Phillips, rock musician from England, have recently teamed up on the song, "I'm Legit." It is hoped that the song, a mix of rap and rock, will revive a bill that would open private adoption records in New Jersey. McDaniels and Phillips were both adopted at birth and both are passionate about adult adoptees having access to their original birth records. The bill passed the state senators in March 2008 and if the Assembly doesn't act before this session ends in January, it will fail by default. This occurred in 2004 and 2006 with the same bill.
Currently 42 states require a court order to open sealed adoption records, while Alaska, Oregon, Kansas, Alabama, New Hampshire and Maine are the only U.S. states where adult adoptees have unrestricted access to their own original birth records. The single "I'm Legit" will be released this month along with a music video that will feature footage from 2008 adoption rallies. The goal is for the song to help advocate for nationwide open birth records.
Many are opposing the legislation for open adoption records pointing to birth parent's right to privacy. They claim that this would break a contract with the birth mothers.
Darryl McDaniels won an Emmy in 2007 for his VH1 documentary, DMC: My Adoption Journey where he filmed the search for his biological family and all of the red tape and emotions he had to endure before finding the answers he was seeking. Zara H. Phillips, won an award as best Home Grown Documentary at the 2008 Garden State Film Festival for her documentary about adoption, Roots: Unknown.
SOURCES:
- Singing, and Rapping, for Their Rights as Adoptees - The New York Times
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Suggested Reading:
Guide's Phone Interview with Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC
Open Records vs. Birth Mother Protection
Open Records: A Motherhood Issue
The Charter or Adoptee Rights
South Dakota is now an open records state. It passed our legislature this session. There is a contact veto included in the bill but adopted adults now have access to their original birth certificate.
Thanks Belle. I got my information from Bastard Nation and I think they only post states that have no limitations on open records. I’ll have to do more research.
I followed all the votes and what not on this one. There is no limitation on receiving your original birth certificate, just that the first parents have a right to file contact vetos. We can choose either no contact, contact through intermediary, or contact welcomed.
I’m assuming BN doesn’t have anything yet because, while the bill was signed, the laws don’t go into effect for several more months.
IM ERMELINDA A 38 YR OLD GRANDMOTHER WHO IS IN SEARCH OF MY GRANDDAUGHTER ND I NEEED HELP IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UP TO ME BABY NEV WOULDNT BE IN THIS SITUATION AT ALL I WOULD BE RAISING HER THEY MAY HAVE ADOPTED HER AND ARE LIVING IN NEW JERSEY SHE IS JUST A WEEK OLD!!!!