State and National Experts to Testify in Support of Rep. Nickie J. Antonio's Adoption Bill

State and National Experts to Testify in Support of Rep. Nickie J. Antonio's Adoption Bill

Columbus, OH – Companion bills HB 61 and SB 23 were introduced earlier this month by two sponsors in each body – Representative Nickie J. Antonio (D) and Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R) in the House. Senator Bill Beagle (R) and Senator Dave Burke (R) in the Senate. This is the 6th bill in 24 years that has attempted to provide Ohio adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

State and national experts will testify at the Ohio House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 at 3 pm in support of HB 61, a bill that will allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. Notable experts in the fields of adoption law, policy and practice will appear before the Committee to promote the bill’s passage and address questions about the social, political and legal implications of this legislation.  Experts testifying before the Committee include:

· Adam Pertman, Executive Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute

· Elizabeth Samuels, J.D., Professor of Law, University of Baltimore School of Law

· Denise St. Clair, J.D., Executive Director, National Center for Adoption Law and Policy at Capital University

· Patricia Rideout, J.D., Chief Administrator, Cuyahoga County OH Dept. of Children and Family Services

· Linda Bolon, Columbiana County OH Treasurer and former Ohio House Representative

“The introduction of HB 61 and SB 23 has garnered significant national attention, as other states are considering similar legislation. Ohio is positioned at the vanguard of this national push for adoption policy reform. We are encouraged that nationally known experts in adoption law and policy would be willing to volunteer their time to come to Columbus and speak on behalf of HB 61,” says Adoption Network Cleveland Executive Director Betsie Norris.

Additional speakers expected at Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing
include Fredrick F. Greenman, Jr. J.D., Legal Advisor, American Adoption
Congress; Judge David Matia, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court; Nancy Burley, director of Adoption Circle Adoption Agency in Columbus, OH; Kate Livingston, director of Ohio Birthparent Group; Betsie Norris, adoptee and founder of Adoption Network Cleveland; and Jeff Costello, an Ohio adoptee now residing in
Atlanta, GA.