assembly Bill A9959B

2017-2018 Legislative Session

Establishes the right of adoptees to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate upon reaching the age of 18

download bill text pdf

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Assembly Committee


  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor Calendar
    • Passed Senate
    • Passed Assembly
  • Delivered to Governor
  • Signed/Vetoed by Governor

Your Voice

do you support this bill?

Please enter your contact information

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

view actions (6)
Assembly Actions - Lowercase
Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 05, 2018 reported referred to codes
May 31, 2018 print number 9959b
May 31, 2018 amend and recommit to health
May 10, 2018 print number 9959a
May 10, 2018 amend and recommit to health
Mar 01, 2018 referred to health

Co-Sponsors

view additional co-sponsors

Multi-Sponsors

A9959 - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S7631
Current Committee:
Assembly Codes
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Add §4138-e, amd §§4138, 4138-d & 4104, Pub Health L; amd §114, Dom Rel L
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:
S2222

A9959 - Summary

Establishes the right of adoptees to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate upon reaching the age of 18; such birth certificate shall include information on the medical history of the birth parents.

A9959 - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  9959

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              March 1, 2018
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on Health

AN ACT to amend the public health law and the domestic relations law, in
  relation  to  authorizing adoptees to obtain a certified copy of their
  birth certificate

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
4138-e to read as follows:
  § 4138-E. ADOPTEE'S RIGHT TO A CERTIFIED COPY  OF  HIS  OR  HER  BIRTH
CERTIFICATE.  1. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY STATES ITS INTENTION TO ACKNOWL-
EDGE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE LIFE-LONG HEALTH AND WELL-BEING NEEDS OF
PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE ADOPTED IN THIS STATE. THE LEGISLATURE
FURTHER  RECOGNIZES  THAT  THE DENIAL OF ACCESS TO ACCURATE AND COMPLETE
MEDICAL AND SELF-IDENTIFYING DATA  OF  ANY  ADOPTED  PERSON,  KNOWN  AND
WILFULLY  WITHHELD  BY  OTHERS,  MAY RESULT IN SUCH PERSON SUCCUMBING TO
PREVENTABLE DISEASE, PREMATURE DEATH OR OTHERWISE UNHEALTHY LIFE,  IS  A
VIOLATION OF THAT PERSON'S HUMAN RIGHTS AND IS CONTRARY TO THE TENETS OF
GOVERNANCE.  AS  SUCH,  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SEEK TO ESTABLISH
CONSIDERATIONS UNDER THE LAW FOR ADOPTED PERSONS EQUAL TO SUCH CONSIDER-
ATIONS PERMITTED BY LAW TO ALL NON-ADOPTED PERSONS; THIS SECTION DOES SO
WHILE PROVIDING FOR THE PRIVACY OF AN ADOPTED  PERSON  AND  HIS  OR  HER
BIRTH.
  2.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, WHEN AN ADOPTED
PERSON ATTAINS THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS, THAT  PERSON  SHALL  HAVE  THE
RIGHT  TO RECEIPT OF A CERTIFIED COPY OF HIS OR HER ORIGINAL (LONG FORM,
LINE BY LINE VAULT COPY) BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND ANY  CHANGE  HIS  OR  HER
BIRTH  PARENT OR PARENTS MAY HAVE ATTACHED TO THAT CERTIFICATE, AND/OR A
MEDICAL HISTORY FORM IF AVAILABLE,  UPON  APPLICATION,  PRESENTATION  OF
PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION AND THE PAYMENT OF A NOMINAL FEE.
  (B)  WHEN IT SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH GOOD-FAITH EFFORTS TO PROVIDE
A COPY OF AN ADULT ADOPTED PERSON'S ORIGINAL BIRTH  CERTIFICATE  (AS  IN
THE  CASE  OF AN ADOPTED PERSON BORN OUTSIDE OF, BUT ADOPTED WITHIN, THE
STATE), THE ADULT ADOPTED PERSON SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SECURE  FROM  A

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

Co-Sponsors

view additional co-sponsors

Multi-Sponsors

A9959A - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S7631
Current Committee:
Assembly Codes
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Add §4138-e, amd §§4138, 4138-d & 4104, Pub Health L; amd §114, Dom Rel L
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:
S2222

A9959A - Summary

Establishes the right of adoptees to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate upon reaching the age of 18; such birth certificate shall include information on the medical history of the birth parents.

A9959A - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 9959--A

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              March 1, 2018
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M. of A. WEPRIN, CARROLL, D'URSO, COLTON, WOERNER, GOTT-
  FRIED,  SEAWRIGHT,  RIVERA,  THIELE,  BLAKE,  L. ROSENTHAL,  JOHNS  --
  Multi-Sponsored  by -- M.  of A. COOK -- read once and referred to the
  Committee on Health -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law and the domestic relations law, in
  relation  to  authorizing adoptees to obtain a certified copy of their
  birth certificate

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
4138-e to read as follows:
  § 4138-E. ADOPTEE'S RIGHT TO A CERTIFIED COPY  OF  HIS  OR  HER  BIRTH
CERTIFICATE.  1. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY STATES ITS INTENTION TO ACKNOWL-
EDGE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE LIFE-LONG HEALTH AND WELL-BEING NEEDS OF
PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE ADOPTED IN THIS STATE. THE LEGISLATURE
FURTHER  RECOGNIZES  THAT  THE DENIAL OF ACCESS TO ACCURATE AND COMPLETE
MEDICAL AND SELF-IDENTIFYING DATA  OF  ANY  ADOPTED  PERSON,  KNOWN  AND
WILFULLY  WITHHELD  BY  OTHERS,  MAY RESULT IN SUCH PERSON SUCCUMBING TO
PREVENTABLE DISEASE, PREMATURE DEATH OR OTHERWISE UNHEALTHY LIFE,  IS  A
VIOLATION OF THAT PERSON'S HUMAN RIGHTS AND IS CONTRARY TO THE TENETS OF
GOVERNANCE.  AS  SUCH,  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SEEK TO ESTABLISH
CONSIDERATIONS UNDER THE LAW FOR ADOPTED PERSONS EQUAL TO SUCH CONSIDER-
ATIONS PERMITTED BY LAW TO ALL NON-ADOPTED PERSONS; THIS SECTION DOES SO
WHILE PROVIDING FOR THE PRIVACY OF AN ADOPTED  PERSON  AND  HIS  OR  HER
BIRTH.
  2.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSIONER,
OR ANY PERSON AUTHORIZED BY HIM OR HER, SHALL ISSUE CERTIFIED COPIES  OF
ORIGINAL LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATES UPON SPECIFIC REQUEST THEREFOR (I)
BY  AN ADOPTEE, IF EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR MORE, OR (II) IF THE ADOPTEE
IS DECEASED, BY THE ADOPTEE'S  DIRECT  LINE  DESCENDANTS,  OR  (III)  BY
LAWFUL  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  SUCH  ADOPTEE, OR LAWFUL REPRESENTATIVES OF
SUCH DECEASED ADOPTEE'S DIRECT LINE DESCENDENTS, AS THE CASE MAY BE,  OR
(IV)  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVES OF A LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT IF

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

Co-Sponsors

view additional co-sponsors

Multi-Sponsors

A9959B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S7631
Current Committee:
Assembly Codes
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Add §4138-e, amd §§4138, 4138-d & 4104, Pub Health L; amd §114, Dom Rel L
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:
S2222

A9959B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the right of adoptees to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate upon reaching the age of 18; such birth certificate shall include information on the medical history of the birth parents.

A9959B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf


                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 9959--B

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              March 1, 2018
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M. of A. WEPRIN, CARROLL, D'URSO, COLTON, WOERNER, GOTT-
  FRIED, SEAWRIGHT, RIVERA, THIELE, BLAKE, L. ROSENTHAL, JOHNS, SKOUFIS,
  BARRON,  MURRAY,  BRABENEC,  PELLEGRINO,  SCHIMMINGER,  McDONOUGH   --
  Multi-Sponsored by -- M.  of A. BUTLER, COOK -- read once and referred
  to  the  Committee  on  Health  -- committee discharged, bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --
  recommitted  to  the  Committee  on Health in accordance with Assembly
  Rule  3,  sec.  2  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law and the domestic relations law, in
  relation  to  authorizing adoptees to obtain a certified copy of their
  birth certificate

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
4138-e to read as follows:
  § 4138-E. ADOPTEE'S RIGHT TO A CERTIFIED COPY  OF  HIS  OR  HER  BIRTH
CERTIFICATE.  1. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY STATES ITS INTENTION TO ACKNOWL-
EDGE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE LIFE-LONG HEALTH AND WELL-BEING NEEDS OF
PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE ADOPTED IN THIS STATE. THE LEGISLATURE
FURTHER  RECOGNIZES  THAT  THE DENIAL OF ACCESS TO ACCURATE AND COMPLETE
MEDICAL AND SELF-IDENTIFYING DATA  OF  ANY  ADOPTED  PERSON,  KNOWN  AND
WILFULLY  WITHHELD  BY  OTHERS,  MAY RESULT IN SUCH PERSON SUCCUMBING TO
PREVENTABLE DISEASE, PREMATURE DEATH OR OTHERWISE UNHEALTHY LIFE,  IS  A
VIOLATION OF THAT PERSON'S HUMAN RIGHTS AND IS CONTRARY TO THE TENETS OF
GOVERNANCE.  AS  SUCH,  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SEEK TO ESTABLISH
CONSIDERATIONS UNDER THE LAW FOR ADOPTED PERSONS EQUAL TO SUCH CONSIDER-
ATIONS PERMITTED BY LAW TO ALL NON-ADOPTED PERSONS; THIS SECTION DOES SO
WHILE PROVIDING FOR THE PRIVACY OF AN ADOPTED  PERSON  AND  HIS  OR  HER
BIRTH.
  2. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSIONER OR
A  LOCAL  REGISTRAR  OR  ANY  PERSON AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR A
LOCAL REGISTRAR, UPON APPLICATION, PROOF OF IDENTITY AND  PAYMENT  OF  A
NOMINAL  FEE, SHALL ISSUE CERTIFIED COPIES OF ORIGINAL LONG FORM LINE BY

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets