Michigan Adoptee Rights

Advocates and allied organizations supporting equal rights for all adopted people in Michigan

MARC Administrator

MARC Pauses Support for the Bills

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As a coalition we have decided to pause our support for HB5148/HB5149. This action is being taken to protect the bills from potential damaging and discriminatory amendments and to reassess the opposition. Our sponsors are in full support of our decision, and we will publicly share more details when we can.

There will be a time soon where we can meet and discuss the issues we are facing and our organizing strategy. We will always share as much as we are able. For that we are thankful for your trust. Hang in there, and we will too.

Take Action Today: Contact Michigan State Senators

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This is an action alert for all adopted people, birth/first parents, adoptive parents, and allies and supporters of all adult adopted people.

We ask that you contact the seven senators on the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee to request a YES VOTE on HB5148/HB5149. The bills are being considered at 12pm EST on February 29, 2024, and it is essential that you do this as soon as possible. For additional background on these equal rights bills, see this post or our hearing packet, which was already submitted to the committee.

Who to Contact

Contact the seven senators on the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee. Their emails are (copy and paste these into your email application)

senschang@senate.michigan.gov
senjirwin@senate.michigan.gov
senrjohnson@senate.michigan.gov
senjrunestad@senate.michigan.gov
senssantana@senate.michigan.gov
sensshink@senate.michigan.gov
senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov

The Email Subject

In the email subject, simply put YES ON HB5148/HB5149.

What to Say (Suggested Language)

Suggested language to use for contacting members of the committee. Modify or add to the email as you prefer, or copy and paste as is. The language below is tailored to specific lived experiences. Make sure you include your name and, if you are in Michigan, your town (or any connection to the state).

Jump to suggested language for an Adult Adoptee | Birth/First Parent | Adoptive Parent | Other/Supporter

Adopted People

Dear Chair Chang and Members of the Committee:

I am an adult adopted person. I join more than 25 state and national organizations, including the Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition, in support of HB5148/HB5149. It is an equal rights bill that restores the rights of all Michigan-born adult adopted people to possess their own birth records, like any other human. This is important to me and to my family, and I ask that you hear my voice and act on the collective power of all the voices and organizations in support. Please vote YES on the bills in Committee.

Birth/First Parents

Dear Chair Chang and Members of the Committee:

I am a parent of a child surrendered for adoption. I join more than 25 state and national organizations, including Concerned United Birth Parents, First Mother Forum, and Catholic Mothers for Truth and Transparency, in support of HB5148/HB5149. It is a fair, equitable, and common-sense bill that restores the equal rights of all Michigan-born adult adopted people to their own birth records. Parents like me relinquished all rights over our children, and should have no control or any right to restrict their own birth records, especially as adults. I ask that you correct Michigan’s outdated and discriminatory law. Please vote YES on the bills in Committee.

Adoptive Parents

Dear Chair Chang and Members of the Committee:

I am an adoptive parent. I join more than 25 state and national organizations, including the National Center on Adoption and Permanency and the Michigan Confederation for Families and Children, in support of HB5148/HB5149. It is a fair, equitable, and common-sense bill that restores the equal rights of all Michigan-born adult adopted people to their own birth records. Adoptive parents like me strongly support our own adult children in obtaining a single document that is theirs and contains their own identities. I ask that you correct Michigan’s outdated and discriminatory law. Please vote YES on the bills in Committee.

Supporter/Other

Dear Chair Chang and Members of the Committee:

I join hundreds of thousands of people and more than 25 state and national organizations in support of HB5148/HB5149. These are fair, equitable, and common-sense bills that restore the equal rights of all Michigan-born adult adopted people to their own birth records. It is absurd that adult Michiganders are denied a single document that is theirs and that contains their own information and identities. I ask that you correct Michigan’s outdated and discriminatory law. Please vote YES on the bills in Committee.

Is Phone Your Thing? We Got You

If you prefer to call people, no worries. Go for it. Just be respectful and indicate that you would like the senator’s support on this bill. Here are the phone numbers:

Stephanie Chang (517) 373-7346
Jeff Irwin (517) 373-2406
Ruth Johnson (517) 373-1636
Jim Runestad (517) 373-1758
Sylvia Santana (517) 373-0990
Sue Shink (517) 373-2426
Paul Wojno (517) 373-8360