Bastard Nation: The Adoptee Rights Organization raises its voice in unqualified support of The Adopted Peoples Association of Ireland. We join them in opposition to the bill ADOPTION INFORMATION, POST-ADOPTION CONTACT AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES BILL This bill clearly represents an abrogation of the rights of Irish adopted people, including more than 2,000 United States citizens.

Bastard Nation: The Adoptee Rights Organization is the largest adoptee rights organization in North America. Our mission is focused solely on the unqualified recognition of the civil and human rights of adult adoptees. We believe all adult adoptees must be able to unconditionally access the records that document their births in the same manner as all other citizens of the country.

To that end, we oppose ADOPTION INFORMATION, POST-ADOPTION CONTACT AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES BILL because it includes a proposed contact veto which includes imprisonment penalties for violation. Adult adoptees must not be looked at as potential criminals. We also oppose the section of the bill, which would establish a "Consultation Process." This process specifically excludes any adopted adult representation, including representation for the more than 2,000 children, now adults, who were sent to the United States.

The fundamental rights of adult adoptees cannot be met by laws that make records access conditional on the permission of the courts or abirth parent. Adult adoptees everywhere have a right to the same access to their own vital records that other citizens enjoy and takefor granted.