Monday, December 30, 2013

Accuracy for Adoptees Act

AAAA Hails Senate and House Enactment of Accuracy for Adoptees Act


December 30, 2013 ---- Signed by President Obama January 16, 2014

The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys ("AAAA") proudly announces the enactment of S.1614, the Accuracy for Adoptees Act. This bill, conceived and shepherded through the House and Senate by AAAA and concerned families, helps adoptive children who had been given inaccurate birthdates abroad. This is a common problem when children are abandoned at orphanages without any birth record. When U.S. adoptions are processed, the foreign country assigns a "best guess" birth date that is then used in processing adoption and immigration paperwork. These birth dates can sometimes be vastly inaccurate. While there is an existing state court process in the U.S. where these families can present medical, educational, and dental evidence to support a request for an amended date of birth that is appropriate for the child’s true age, U.S. agencies will not accept these amended dates. As a result these children end up with two different dates of birth – one on their federal documents (e.g. passport, social security card) and the new date on their state documents (e.g. birth certificate, driver’s license). This creates a multitude of problems as these children age, from improper school placement, inability to get a passport, and even accusations of identity fraud when two different dates of birth exist for one child.

The Accuracy for Adoptees Act solves these problems by requiring federal agencies to recognize amended birth dates as issued by state courts. This bill removes the bureaucracy, red tape, and endless dead ends that these families currently face.

Karen S. Law, adoption attorney in Ashburn, VA and Co-Chair of AAAA’s international adoption subcommittee, writes, "I started noticing what an unimaginable hardship this was causing for children and families – and the more I talked with my colleagues, the more I became aware of its breadth. Many of these children had suffered horrific loss and pain, and then arrive in the U.S. to become victims of a bureaucratic process with no right answer. I am so proud to have been able to contribute to this legislation which will finally give these children and their families some peace of mind."

The bill was conceived of by AAAA members who had faced this issue and its long term consequences time and time again. In an effort to protect these children, AAAA partnered with adoption champions Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Blunt (R-MO) who introduced the bill in the Senate. The bill was cosponsored by Senators Enzi, Landrieu, Barrasso, Durbin, Rubio, Vitter, Flake, Boozman, Kirk, Leahy, Inhofe and McConnell. The U.S. Senate has passed only 111 bills this Congress and the Accuracy for Adoptees Act is one of them. Of these 111, 16 rename federal facilities. In the House, Representative Lamar S. Smith (R-TX), was instrumental in moving this bill to passage by unanimous consent on December 23, 2013.

Donald Cofsky, President of AAAA, writes, "I am extremely pleased and proud that the U.S. Senate has passed, with bi-partisan support, this commonsense legislation – placing adoptive families and children ahead of partisan politics. We owe immense thanks to all of the bill’s cosponsors for their dedication to adoptive families and for their tireless efforts in ushering this bill through the Senate. I cannot overstate the importance of this legislation and the positive impact that it will have on adopted children and their families."














Drafted by Brittany Alness, staff member of the Law Offices of Karen S. Law, PLC.

Disclaimer

This web site and the information contained within have been prepared by Law Offices of Karen S. Law, PLC for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information is not intended to create, nor does receipt of it constitute an attorney-client relationship. Viewers should not act upon information found here without seeking legal counsel. All photographs shown on this web-site are depictions of clients and are not actual clients of this law firm. Copyright Karen S. Law, 2013.

 
 

Pregnant?

“Thank you, Karen, for the prayers and encouragement.  The Lord really used you during that dark time in my life.”--A Birthmom a year after placing a child for adoption

Pregnant? Adoption is an option
Making an adoption plan is an important decision. This is a very sensitive and difficult time for you, and you may have lots of questions. We have extensive experience in working with birth mothers. We can offer a supportive environment and unbiased advice as to whether adoption is right for you. We can point out the pros and cons of different types of adoption and work with you to select a Virginia adoption agency or locate adoptive parents for an open adoption. We will advise you about Virginia adoption law. We will help you understand the legal rights of the father of the child and how to move an adoption plan forward. We will do everything possible to give you a smooth experience at the hospital. We will represent you through the entrustment process and in any Virginia court appearance.

~Unbiased advice about your options
~Guidance in locating prospective adoptive parents
~Referrals for counseling and other services
~Advice on notification and consent requirements for birth fathers
~Help you craft an open adoption plan
~Virginia adoptions

We understand that this is a difficult time and that there are a million things running through your head, know that there is an option for every situation and that someone out there has gone through what you are currently experiencing. 

If you are unsure if adoption is the right path for you, may we suggest that you make a list of your choices and then write the pros and cons of each choice.  While looking at the positives and negatives, think about what is best for your child, then, what it best for you. It's okay if you don't feel ready to be a parent because adoption is always an option.  Adoptions used to be clothed in secrecy--now, most birth mothers pick some form of open adoption where there is contact following the adoption.  This contact can take the form of written updates and photos or visitation if the adoptive family feels comfortable with this.  These are things we can help you with when deciding whether or not adoption is for you.







Drafted by Brittany Alness, staff member of the Law Offices of Karen S. Law, PLC.

Disclaimer



This web site and the information contained within have been prepared by Law Offices of Karen S. Law, PLC for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information is not intended to create, nor does receipt of it constitute an attorney-client relationship. Viewers should not act upon information found here without seeking legal counsel. All photographs shown on this web-site are depictions of clients and are not actual clients of this law firm. Copyright Karen S. Law, 2013.