A Republican State Assemblyman is demanding California establish adoptee rights.

Republican State Assemblyman Tom Lackey – the parent of two adopted children, is pushing Assembly Bill 1302 aimed at making it easier for people who were adopted to request vital records, such as birth certificates.  Current law requires a court order and petition – a process many say is often unsuccessful.  Lackey’s Bill would require the state to contact the birth parents of an adopted person who requests an unredacted birth record. If the parents deny the request, or don’t respond, the adopted person cannot get the complete original document. The bill does allow for the records to be released if both birth parents are dead.