Jenna has brought our attention to the North Carolina news of House Bill 455 and even interviewed Roberta MacDonald, who is chairwoman of the North Carolina Adoption Reform Coalition.

Originally the bill would have allowed adult adoptees in North Carolina rights to their original birth certificate. After it became clear that the bill as written would probably not be passed modifications were made to the bill which as written now would allow a licensed adoption agency to contact a birth parent in a confidential way if an adoptee (age 21 or older) needed updated medical/background information. If in the course of obtaining updated medical/background information both the adoptee and the birth parents wanted to meet, this bill would allow a licensed agency to share identifying information with written consent from both parties. As the law stands now even if both parties agree confidential information can not be shared unless they go and petition the court. House Bill 455 would eliminate the need of going to court. It’s not a perfect bill, but definitely a step in the right direction.

Tonight, I received an urgent email from Edith Votta who is the Director of Post Adoption Services at the Children’s Home Society in North Carolina. Edith has also been active in trying to help get the bill passed.

Apparently the bill has now been stalled in the Judiciary II Committee and the assistance of North Carolina residents is now needed! It is important that these Committee members hear from North Carolina residents in support of the bill.

Below I have listed the committee member’s names, email addresses, and telephone numbers. If you call or email simply tell them or the aide who answers the phone if you call, who you are and that you are calling about House Bill 445 that is waiting to be heard in the Judiciary II committee. Let them know that you hope the bill will be heard soon and wanted Senator ___ to know that you are very supportive of the bill.

If you do call or email, I’d love to know it, so please comment below and let me know!

Chairman of the Committee:
Sen. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr.
Email: Fletcherh@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 733-7223

Vice Chairmen of the Committee:
Sen. Austin M. Allran
Email: Austina@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 733-5876

Sen. Doug Berger
Email: dougb@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 715-8363

Sen. Ed Jones
Email: Edwardj@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 715-3032

Committee Members:
Sen. Tom Apodaca
Email: Toma@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 733-5745

Sen. Bob Atwater
Email: Boba@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 715-3036

Sen. Stan Bingham
Email: stanb@ncleg.net
Phone: (919) 733-5665

Sen. Walter H. Dalton
Email: Walterd@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)715-3038

Sen. Charlie Smith Dannelly
Email: Charlied@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)733-5955

Sen. Katie G. Dorsettt
Email: Katied@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)715-3042

Sen. Don East
Email: done@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)733-5743

Sen. W. Edward (edie) Goodall
Email: Eddieg@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)733-7659

Sen. Jim Jacumin
Email: Jimja@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)715-7823

Sen. John H. Kerr III
Email: Johnk@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)733-5621

Sen. Joe Sam Queen
Email: JoeQ@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)733-3460

Sen. John Snow
Email: Johnsn@ncleg.net
Phone: (919(733-5875

Sen. A.B. Swindell
Email: abs@ncleg.net
Phone: (919)715-3030