New Jersey Catholic Conference

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E-mail:  info@njcathconf.com

Web:  www.njcathconf.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                      William F. Bolan, Jr., J.D.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Executive Director

 

N E W S   R E L E A S E

 

 

CONTACT:  Marlene Laó-Collins                                                 For Immediate Release

        (609) 599-2110                                                       Exclusive to Diocesan Papers

                                    Date:  December 15, 2004

 

 

 

Harmful Adoption Policy Being Considered by the State Legislature

 

 

On December 9^th the New Jersey Senate passed S-1093 which will give adopted persons access to original birth records that under current law are sealed to protect the privacy rights of both the birth parent and adopted persons.  Because of their great concern The New Jersey Catholic Conference, New Jersey Right to Life, The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and The National Council for Adoption have formed an alliance in opposition of this legislation.

 

According to Marlene Lao-Collins of the NJ Catholic Conference, the legislation still needs to be voted on by the Assembly before going to Acting Governor Codey for his action.  “We hope to convince the Assembly that is not the way to go because this legislation unfairly changes the rules midstream for thousand of parents who placed their babies for adoption in New Jersey over the past 50 plus years,” said Lao-Collins.  Birth parents are guaranteed the right to privacy under the statute. Many birth parents were influenced by this guarantee of confidentiality in deciding to surrender their children. 

 

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Representing the Archdiocese of Newark, Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Metuchen,

Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Trenton, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic and

Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese