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NEWS RELEASE
State Rep. Linda Bebko-Jones D-Erie
CONTACT: Carolyn E. Touma House Democratic Communications
Office Phone: 717-787-7895
Fax: 717-783-6839
Email: ctouma@pahouse.netFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bebko-Jones bill makes obtaining medical history, birth certificates easier for adoptees
HARRISBURG Oct. 24 - State Rep. Linda Bebko-Jones believes that children who were placed for adoption must have greater access to their medical and family history. That's why she has introduced legislation that would improve the way birth parents can share important family medical information.
"Every parent wants what is best for their child and part of that is properly responding to a child's medical needs. My bill would place the tools in the hands of natural parents to not only disclose medical information but also clarify whether they wish to be contacted later," Bebko-Jones said.
Bebko-Jones said her bill would allow birth parents to pass along the medical information through the state Department of Health's Vital Records Division, which issues birth certificates. She is proposing a "contact preference form" which natural parents could fill out, anonymously if they choose to, when a child is placed for adoption or anytime thereafter.
"Because most searches for natural parents stem from an adoptee's desire to simply know who their natural parents are, I am proposing we secure at the beginning of the adoption process how much information can be released later. As an adoptive mother, I am no stranger to how complicated the current process is."
She noted Pennsylvania has already taken the first steps for adoptees to gather birth family medical information by giving natural parents the option to register with the Adoption Medical History Registry.
Her legislation would greatly increase the sharing of this important medical information because birth parents could provide updated medical information with the option of notifying the division as to whether or not they preferred to be contacted once the adoptee reaches 21 years of age. Natural parents could change their contact preference at any time.
"Currently, adoptees are the only members of the adoption triad that can initiate a search for their natural parents. My legislation would streamline the search process for state courts and agencies when an adoptee or natural parent requests them to do so," Bebko-Jones said.
"It would also provide adoptees with an updated medical history form and an uncertified, unaltered copy of their original birth certificate regardless of whether the birth parents choose to be contacted."
The Erie County lawmaker added that her bill would not make completing a contact preference form a requirement but would secure contact preferences in the early stages of adoption proceedings.
Bebko-Jones extended her gratitude to Barb Hakel, founder of PA CHAIN in Erie, and Karen Sterner, founder of the Pennsylvania Adoption Reunion Registry, for their unwavering dedication to move adult adoption issues into the 21st century.
Hakel and Sterner said: "Medical and emotional issues represent the reasons most adoptees conduct searches. Linda's bill would unite all 67 counties on that effort."
"Adoption can be a blessing for everyone involved. Cases must be handled with great care and this legislation would help part of the process run more smoothly with less inquiries and investigation down the road," Bebko-Jones said.
The bill, as written, contains a contact preference provision that functions as a contact veto. As in the past, GRC does not endorse bills with an operable veto regardless of the language. There is widespread disappointment in PA over this provision.
On the chance that there may still be some quarters in the PA legislature that can be persuaded, I urge Update readers -- particularly those with PA connections -- to write a polite letter to the sponsor and others on the committee explaining why triad members object to contact vetoes and asking them to amend HB2056.
Remember...
-- the strongest arguments are those backed with first hand experience
-- the psychological needs of the legislators you will write to are more
important than any other need they may have, execpt possibly re-election --
those from heavily Catholic districts are unlikely to come around because
of the pressure from the CC lobby
-- the appeals that are most likely to work are those which present passage
of a revised version as a major leadership achievement that we can point to
as an example around the country
-- the most important persons to persuade are the "opinion leaders"Sharpen your quills! Good luck! Here's who to write to.
2005 JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Contacts regarding HB 2056
Referred to Judiciary Committee on October 17, 2005MAJORITY
Hon. Dennis M. O'Brien, Chairman
9811 Academy Road, Lower Level
Philadelphia, PA 19114-1715
(215) 632-5150
Fax: (215) 281-2094Hon. Dennis M. O'Brien
100 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5689
Fax: (717) 787-1339Hon. Glen R. Grell, Secretary
5521 Carlisle Pike, Suite 2-D
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 795-6091
Fax: (717) 795-6094Hon. Glen R. Grell
6 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-2063
Fax: (717) 705-1942Hon. Craig A. Dally, Subcommittee Chairman on Courts
354 West Moorestown Road
Nazareth, PA, 18064
(610) 746-2100
Fax: (610) 746-3803Hon. Craig A. Dally
153A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-8573
Fax: (717) 705-1948Hon. Stephen R. Maitland
Subcommittee Chairman on Crimes and Corrections
33A West Middle Street
Gettysburg, PA, 17325
(717) 334-3010
Fax: (717) 334-8426Hon. Stephen R. Maitland
400 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-5217
Fax: (717) 772-5499Hon. Jerry Birmelin
Wayne County Visitors Center
303 Commercial Street, Suite 200
Honesdale, PA, 18431
(570) 253-5533
Fax: (570) 253-8046Hon. Jerry Birmelin
Room 41B
East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-2037
Fax: (717) 705-1945Hon. John R. Evans (HB 2056 Sponsor)
123 Meadville Street
Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-2793
Fax: (814) 734-4534Hon. John R. Evans
145A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-9940
Fax: (717) 772-7099Hon. William I. Gabig
101 North Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-1990
Fax: (717) 249-8775Hon. William I. Gabig
428 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-2280
Fax: (717) 705-2012Hon. Matthew Good (HB 2056 Sponsor)
4602 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 868-5489
Fax: (814) 871-4793Hon. Matthew Good
413 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-6433
Fax: (717) 772-9958Hon. Kate Harper
1515 Dekalb Pike, Suite 106
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
Fax: (610) 270-1677Hon. Kate Harper
149A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-2801
Fax: (717) 787-2022Hon. Tim Hennessey
1038 East Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA, 19320
(610) 380-8600
Fax: (610) 380-1777Hon. Tim Hennessey
111 Ryan Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-3431
Fax: (717) 705-2095Hon. Beverly Mackereth
Westgate Plaza
1550-C Kenneth Road
York, PA 17404
(717) 767-3947
Fax: (717) 767-9857Hon. Beverly Mackereth
52B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-2655
Fax: (717) 772-9869Hon. Mark S. McNaughton
2090 Linglestown Road
Suite 100
Harrisburg, PA, 17110
(717) 651-0100
Fax: (717) 651-0801Hon. Mark S. McNaughton
342A Market Street
Millersburg, PA 17061
1-800-483-9210
Fax: (717) 692-5301Hon. Mark S. McNaughton
54B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-1230
Fax: (717) 787-3821Hon. Bernard T. O'Neill (HB 2056 Sponsor)
210 West Street Road
Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 441-2624
Fax: (215) 441-2627Hon. Bernard T. O'Neill
B15 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-7170
Fax: (717) 783-3278Hon. Douglas G. Reichley (HB 2056 Sponsor)
1245 Chestnut Street
Unit #5
Emmuas, PA 18049
(610) 965-9933Hon. Douglas G. Reichley
5 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-1000
Fax: (717) 705-7012Hon. Katie True
2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 501
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 295-5050
Fax: (717) 295-5053Hon. Katie True
143A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-7161
Fax: (717) 705-1946Hon. Mike Turzai
125 Hillvue Lane, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 369-2230
Fax: (412) 369-2236Hon. Mike Turzai
Room 145B
East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-9943
Fax: (717) 772-2470
MINORITY
Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone, Chairman (HB 2056 Sponsor)
645 Penn Street
2nd Floor
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 376-1529
Fax: (610) 378-4406Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone
Room 106
Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-3525
Fax: (717) 772-5401Hon. John E. Pallone, Secretary
1625 Fifth Avenue
Arnold, PA 15068
(724) 339-1990
Fax: (724) 339-4030Hon. John E. Pallone
5821 Washington Avenue
Export, PA 15632
(724) 327-7430Hon. John E. Pallone
325 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-1819
Fax: (717) 772-9984Hon. Frank Dermody, Subcommittee Chairman on Public Transport
1331 Freeport Road, Suite 202
Cheswick, PA 15024
(724) 274-4770
Fax: (724) 274-8814Hon. Frank Dermody
217 Irvis Office Bldg.
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-3566
Fax: (717) 787-8060Hon. Harold James, Subcommittee Chairman on Crimes/Corrections
1423 Point Breeze Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 462-3308
Fax: (215) 952-1141Hon. Harold James
107 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-9477
Fax: (717) 787-7517Hon. Kathy M. Manderino, Subcommittee Chairman Family Law
6511 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-8726
Fax: (215) 482-9066Hon. Kathy M. Manderino
103A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-1254
Fax: (717) 705-2089Hon. Dan B. Frankel (HB 2056 Sponsor)
4225 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1774
Fax: (412) 420-2011Hon. Dan B. Frankel
104A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-1875
Fax: (717) 705-2034Hon. Michael Gerber
20 East 11th Avenue
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 832-1679
Fax: (610) 832-1684Hon. Michael Gerber
25B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-9475
Fax: (717) 772-2284Hon. Daylin Leach
601 S. Henderson Road, Suite #208
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 768-4200
Fax: (610) 768-4204Hon. Daylin Leach
109A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-9114
Fax: (717) 787-0861Hon. Joseph A. Petrarca
239 Longfellow Street
Vandergrift, PA 15690
(724) 567-6982
Fax: (724) 567-0006Hon. Joseph A. Petrarca
220 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5142
Fax: (717) 705-2014Hon. Greg S. Vitali
1001 East Darby Road
Havertown, PA 19083
(610) 789-3900
Fax: (215) 560-4197Hon. Greg S. Vitali
103B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-7647
Fax: (717) 705-2089Hon. Don Walko
3880 Perrysville Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
(412) 321-5523
Fax: (412) 321-5517Hon. Don Walko
311 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5470
Fax: (717) 783-0407Hon. Jewell Williams
2224 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 763-2559
Fax: (215) 763-2561Hon. Jewell Williams
104 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-2004
Fax: (717) 787-7597
Sponsors of HB 2056 Contact Information
Referred to Judiciary Committee October 17, 2005Hon. Linda Bebko-Jones
801 East Ave.
Erie, PA 16503
(814) 459-1949
Fax: (814) 871-4854Hon. Linda Bebko-Jones
Room 113
Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-4035
Fax: (717) 783-7548Hon. Florindo J. Fabrizio
1216 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508
(814) 455-6319
Fax: (814) 455-6593Hon. Florindo J. Fabrizio
102A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-4358
Fax: (717) 705-7000Hon. John R. Evans (On Judiciary Committee)
123 Meadville Street
Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-2793
Fax: (814) 734-4534Hon. John R. Evans
145A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-9940
Fax: (717) 772-7099Hon. Matthew Good (On Judiciary Committee)
4602 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 868-5489
Fax: (814) 871-4793Hon. Matthew Good
413 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-6433
Fax: (717) 772-9958Hon. Curtis G. Sonney
4311 Buffalo Road
Unit 2-2
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 897-2080
Fax: (814) 897-2083Hon. Curtis G. Sonney
26 South Lake Street
North East, PA 16428
(814) 725-8664
Fax: (814) 725-1666Hon. Curtis G. Sonney
707 E. Columbus Ave.
Corry, PA 16407
(814) 664-9126
Fax: (814) 664-5857Hon. Curtis G. Sonney
149B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9087
Fax: (717) 787-2005Hon. Robert E. Belfanti, Jr.
15 West Avenue
Mount Carmel, PA 17851
(570) 339-5252
Fax: (570) 339-6042Hon. Robert E. Belfanti, Jr.
14 West Market St., #104
Danville, PA 17821
(570) 271-1460
Fax: (570) 275-7090Hon. Robert E. Belfanti, Jr.
2 East Arch St., Rm 210
Shamokin, Pa 17872
(570) 644-6570Hon. Robert E. Belfanti, Jr.
East Wing, Room 30
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5780
Fax: (717) 787-5763Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone (on Judiciary Committee)
645 Penn Street
2nd Floor
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 376-1529
Fax: (610) 378-4406Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone
Room 106
Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-3525
Fax: (717) 772-5401Hon. Scott W. Boyd
852 Village Road/P.O. Box 268
Lampeter, PA 17537
(717) 464-5285
Fax: (717) 295-7817Hon. Scott W. Boyd
423 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-6422
Fax: (717) 787-7731Hon. Roy E. Baldwin
2720 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 569-5855
Fax: (717) 519-4306Hon. Roy E. Baldwin
53B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-1776
Fax: (717) 772-9869Hon. Jacqueline R. Crahalla
3938 Ridge Pike
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 409-2615
Fax: (610) 409-2619Hon. Jacqueline R. Crahalla
161B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-7164
Fax: (717) 783-3793Hon. Thomas C. Creighton
47 Market Square
Manheim, PA 17545
(717) 664-4979
Fax: (717) 664-4997Hon. Thomas C. Creighton
53A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-5290
Fax: (717) 772-9869Hon. Dan B. Frankel (On Judiciary Committee)
4225 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1774
Fax: (412) 420-2011Hon. Dan B. Frankel
104A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-1875
Fax: (717) 705-2034Hon. Robert L. Freeman
215 Northampton Street
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 253-5543
Fax: (610) 250-2645Hon. Robert L. Freeman
G11 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-3815
Fax: (717) 783-2152Hon. Richard T. Grucela
239 South Broad Street
Nazareth, PA 18064
1-888-222-2143
(610) 614-1312
Fax: (610) 746-5602Hon. Richard T. Grucela
G-01 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-1878
Fax: (717) 783-3180Hon. Richard T. Grucela
5 Mt. Bethel Plaza
Mt. Bethel, PA 18343
1-877-461-9336
(570) 897-0401
Fax: (570) 897-7229Hon. Babette Josephs
1528 Walnut Street, Suite 1901
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1515
Fax: (215) 560-5816Hon. Babette Josephs
300 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-8529
Fax: (717) 787-5066Hon. Bernard T. O'Neill (On Judiciary Committee)
210 West Street Road
Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 441-2624
Fax: (215) 441-2627Hon. Bernard T. O'Neill
B15 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 705-7170
Fax: (717) 783-3278Hon. Douglas G. Reichley (On Judiciary Committee)
1245 Chestnut Street
Unit #5
Emmuas, PA 18049
(610) 965-9933Hon. Douglas G. Reichley
5 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-1000
Fax: (717) 705-7012Hon. John Siptroth
1A Jay Park
Marshalls Creek, PA 18335
(570) 223-2636
Fax: (570) 223-5694Hon. John Siptroth
323 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-6492
Fax: (717) 772-2943Hon. James E. Shaner
1253 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431
(724) 626-2761
Fax: (724) 626-2707Hon. James E. Shaner
125A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 772-5771
Fax: (717) 787-0861Hon. Dan A. Surra
962C, South Saint Marys Street
St. Marys, PA 15857
(814) 781-6301
Fax: (814) 781-7213Hon. Dan A. Surra
323 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-7226
Fax: (717) 772-9999Hon. W. Curtis Thomas
1348 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 232-1210
Fax: (215) 232-1203Hon. W. Curtis Thomas
326 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-9471
Fax: (717) 787-7297Hon. Thomas M. Tigue
42 Center Street
Hughestown, PA 18640
(570) 655-4883
Fax: (570) 655-9110Hon. Thomas M. Tigue
332 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-8982
Fax: (717) 783-0681Hon. Jim Wansacz
108 South Main Street
Old Forge, PA 18518
Toll Free: (877) 295-4937
(570) 451-3110
Fax: (570) 451-3306Hon. Jim Wansacz
27A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-6194
Fax: (717) 772-2284Hon. Jim Wansacz
Scott Township Municipal Building
RR#1, Box 432 D
Olyphant, PA 18447
(570) 254-9672
Fax: (570) 254-7063Hon. Rosita C. Youngblood
5736 Greene Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 849-6426
Fax: (215) 849-5476Hon. Rosita C. Youngblood
121A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-7727
Fax: (717) 772-1313Hon. Jake Wheatley, Jr.
2015-2017 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-7760
Fax: (412) 471-8056Hon. Jake Wheatley, Jr.
224 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 783-3783
Fax: (717) 783-5364
For email addresses for all of your Pennsylvania Representatives.
to Pennsylvania Information Pages.
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