Connecticut Senate Bill SB00065

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/11
• Refer: 1/10/11

Caption

An Act Concerning Access To Original Birth Certificates And Medical Records.

Impact

The impact of this bill reaches into both personal and systemic realms. By allowing adopted individuals to access their original birth certificates, it recognizes the importance of transparency and personal autonomy. Furthermore, it can potentially affect the way adoption records and medical histories are managed within state laws, prompting possible adjustments in the practices of adoption agencies and healthcare providers. There is an implication that with more readily available information, individuals may be more empowered to seek necessary medical care and understand hereditary health issues that are relevant to their lives.

Summary

SB00065 seeks to amend Chapter 93 of the general statutes to allow adults who were adopted as children the right to access their original birth certificates and medical records. The bill focuses on ensuring that adopted individuals are not denied crucial personal information that could inform their identities and medical histories. This legislative move aims to facilitate the process of accessing information that has historically been restricted for those who were adopted, fostering a sense of ownership over one’s own background.

Contention

While the intent behind SB00065 is largely to enhance the rights of adopted individuals, it is likely to generate discussion regarding privacy and the protection of sensitive information. Critics may argue about the potential emotional impacts on birth parents or the possibility of unwanted contact arising from unsealed records. Balancing the rights of adopted persons with the privacy concerns of birth parents could emerge as a notable point of contention during discussions surrounding the bill's passage.