Tuesday, June 26, 2007

AS MAINE GOES, SO GOES THE NATION.

MAINE PASSES OPEN RECORDS BILL

On June 25, HB 1084 was signed by Governor John Baldacci. This bill, which will go into effect January 1, 2009, recognizes the rights of all adopted adults 18 years and older in the state of Maine to request and receive, unconditionally, their original birth certificates.

Maine takes its place on the Honor Roll of states with totally open records for adopted adults: Kansas, Alaska, Oregon, Alabama and New Hampshire. Each time a new state joins the Honor Roll it makes it that much easier for the other states coming up. As Maine goes, so goes the nation. I know it's going to happen.

IT COULDN’T BE DONE WITHOUT...

The legislative sponsors of the bill, House Representative David Farrington and State Senator Paula Benoit. These two people believed in this bill and they worked tirelessly to make open records a reality in Maine.

Bobbi Beavers and OBC For ME, the grassroots organization that filed the bill and worked so hard to get it passed.

Every adopted man and woman and every birth parent in Maine who supported this bill and raised their voices to get it passed. You spoke and the government listened.

THANK YOU

All adopted adults and all birth parents in the United States and Canada are grateful to you all and we send you our most heartfelt THANKS!

And Grannie Annie sends everyone some big special “grannie hugs and kisses.” I am thrilled to see another state recognize the fact that adopted men and women must be treated equally under the laws. Maine’s bill stands as a beacon, shedding its light over the entire USA and Canada. Other states contemplating similar bills can look to Maine for guidance.

WAY TO GO, MAINE.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well said, Grannie Annie! Congratulations to Maine and everyone who worked on this bill.