All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Adoptee Politics and Life: Andrew M. Cuomo and A5036B/S4845B

by Christopher K. Philippo, Christopher Philippo

Rather than granting New York State adoptees the right to access their own original birth certificates as adults, A5036B/S4845B threatens to make access often even harder than what is allowed by current law. Worse, if enacted into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, people whose parental rights were terminated due to physical or sexual abuse would be empowered by the law, gaining a new statutory right over the people they abused that has never previously existed. Such a change violates common sense, and the foundation of New York Adoption Law in N. Y. DOM. REL. LAW §117(1)(a) states “After the making of an order of adoption the birth parents of the adoptive child shall be relieved of all parental duties toward and of all responsibilities for and shall have no rights over such adoptive child or to his property by descent or succession, except as hereinafter stated.” This book is essentially an open letter advocating the veto of a dangerously bad bill and in fact, in similar form, had been sent to Governor Cuomo for his acknowledgement and response, which was never received.

26 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017