Family/Social Issues Passed General Election
✗

PEAPAC Recommends: NO

Violates the implied covenant of anonymity made with birth parents; Bible honors covenants; may discourage adoption.

Summary

Allows adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates, revealing the identity of birth parents.

Biblical Reasoning

First, the Scriptures are clear in their approval of adoption. In fact, adoption is the means whereby Christ has brought us unto right relationship with the Father (Romans 8:15; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). This Measure may in some small way discourage adoption by taking away the birth parents’ assurance of anonymity.

Second, there is a negative effect on current birth parents of adoptees. They entered into various covenants as they gave up their children for adoption. The legal assurance of anonymity was at least an implied part of these covenants. The Bible takes covenants very, very seriously. Gal. 3:15 tells us it is wrong to change the terms of a covenant unilaterally, that is, by one side imposing new terms on the other.

Galatians 3:15 — “To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.”

Election Results

57%
43%
YesNo

Voters passed the open records measure for adoptees (57% Yes).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: This Measure would give someone who had been adopted, once they reach the age of 21, the right to ask for and receive the original birth certificate, including the name of the original birth mother. Because it is retroactive, we oppose the Measure, and urge a No vote.

PEAPAC Commentary and Recommendation: On its face, this Measure may seem worthy of support. The Bible stresses the importance of blood lines, as for example, in our Savior’s genealogy. Additionally, one could say that the lack of assurance of anonymity that this Measure would effect tends to increase the sense of personal responsibility for bringing a child into the world. But there are several factors which bring us to recommend a No vote on this Measure.

First, the Scriptures are clear in their approval of adoption. In fact, adoption is the means whereby Christ has brought us unto right relationship with the Father (Romans 8:15; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). This Measure may in some small way discourage adoption by taking away the birth parents’ assurance of anonymity.

Second, there is a negative effect on current birth parents of adoptees. They entered into various covenants as they gave up their children for adoption. The legal assurance of anonymity was at least an implied part of these covenants. The Bible takes covenants very, very seriously. Gal. 3:15 tells us it is wrong to change the terms of a covenant unilaterally, that is, by one side imposing new terms on the other. This Measure would do just that. The Legislature should take up this matter next session, and “grandfather out” current birth parents of adoptees.

← PreviousMeasure 57 (1998)