Birth Certificate Bill Fails in the Senate 021710 (audio)

Air Date:02/17/2010

By Eryn Clement
 
State Senators defeated a bill that allows people who are adopted to obtain their original birth certificates. Lawmakers debated Senate bill 152 carefully by considering both the biological parents and the adopted child’s position on the issue. Opponents of the bill say the legislation may discourage expectant mothers to give their child up for adoption.
 
The measure has a personal effect on some lawmakers like Senator Sandy Jerstad who is adopted. Jerstad supports the bill. She says adopted children go through enough and should have the right to access their original birth certificate.
 
“From day one an adopted child knows that they were rejected. It’s with you everyday of your life. And I had wonderful fabulous adoptive parents. But there’s still something in there. So don’t take away anything else,"says Jerstad.
 
The bill failed twelve to twenty-two but a motion was passed for reconsideration.  The issue could come back for more debate. 

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