My is Andrew K. Stith from Hampton, Virginia. I am here to speak on my personal story or summary on how an unknown, never tested, never let my mother know about that all learning difficulties that I had found in my Jr. year in college while following me in the military to present day life. With hard work, failing courses, taking harsh criticism and people told me that I would not be anything as well make it in college, I completed schools and never quit, drop out of school, went to jail, and still striving to be better day by day. Also, I would like to have some bill to law to give and make sure that all birth medical records and school records should be given to all parents and guardians to pass down to each child and the State of Virginia should have a depository these records for the individual have a chance to to obtain until death. The reason that I am proposing this because the individual should not have go through a treasure hunt to get answers for each individuals owns health, family historical reasons and the hospital and/or the establishment is no long there. I plan writing a story, would like to work with city, state and federal governments and importantly, I would the State of Virginia to work hard and quickly to pass the TBI Bill (Traumatic Brain Injuries) for people who suffer on a daily basis. This covers past, present and future military servicemembers, born and had birth defects, accidents, athletes, and other reasons that has not been stated here. Thank you, Andrew K. Stith

Comments Document

Good morning, members of the General Assembly, Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 children under the age of six in Virginia faces mental health challenges, yet the vast majority will never receive the support they need? That’s a staggering reality—and one we have the power to change today with HB 1760. My name is Dr. Anjali Ferguson. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with early childhood expertise, the Executive Director of the Virginia Association for Infant Mental Health, and, perhaps most importantly, a mother to two young children under the age of five. I am here to share why this bill is not just important—it is urgent. Currently, development evaluations across the state have wait times of 12 months or more. During that critical year, children miss out on essential interventions that could shape their developmental trajectory. Early intervention matters. Research tells us that addressing developmental concerns early can have life-altering impacts, improving outcomes for children and their families. Yet, too many families are left waiting, watching precious time slip away. For the last several years, I have dedicated my professional career to addressing these needs. I even started a rapid access clinic to provide faster evaluations and interventions for young children. While it has helped, the demand far outweighs the resources available. The need is still immense. Early childhood is a time of unparalleled growth. With 90% of brain development occurring before the age of five, there is no better moment to act. Yet Virginia ranks 39th in the nation for developmental services. Families face long delays, limited access, and a lack of trained professionals equipped to address these challenges. The cost of inaction is enormous—not just emotionally, but financially. Every dollar invested in early childhood mental health services saves seven dollars in reduced costs for special education, mental health treatment, and juvenile justice involvement. Investing now is not only the compassionate choice; it’s the fiscally responsible one. HB 1760 offers a clear solution. By establishing a mental health consultation program for early childhood providers and families, this bill equips educators and healthcare professionals with the tools they need to identify and address concerns early. It builds the infrastructure we desperately need to give every child a strong foundation for lifelong health and success. 2:25 Picture a child you know under the age of five—their joy, their potential. Now imagine the weight of their struggles if they don’t get the support they need. Passing HB 1760 ensures no child in Virginia has to face that reality. This is our moment to lead. Let’s make Virginia a state where every child has the chance to thrive. I urge you to support HB 1760. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to the future of Virginia’s children.

I am a mental health professional who retired from a CSB. My primary responsibility was family counseling. I believe in supporting young families early, before stress induced ruptures occur which can severely impact the mental health of young children. Children with developmental disorders are especially vulnerable. Special training is needed to understand the mental health needs of pregnant women, new families, and children birth-six. As the bill recommends, I urge the legislature to provide funding so that critically needed state wide services for this population can be developed. Mental health consultants, home visitors, and other early childhood professionals are critical for providing the mental health supports that this population needs. I strongly support funding to expand services for early childhood mental health.

I am a mother and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in young child psychotherapy in Richmond, VA and I support this bill. I have specialized in helping young children recover from post-traumatic stress for 25 years. I have seen firsthand the dire circumstances parents and children are in, and the need for early and strong support. I have worked with thousands of children and seen trauma passed through generations by lack of resources and support. This leads to psychological problems, behavioral problems, disruptions in classrooms, suspensions from day care, stressed out parents, and then parents who develop their own health and mental health problems, addictions, and sometimes even violence against their families. Decades of research demonstrates the impact of early intervention (or the lack thereof). Preschool teachers, day care providers, therapists, and medical providers are the ones interacting with kids at this age and we need education and a strong workforce. Mental health providers have the training and resources to help other know the right things to do, so behaviors and problems can be prevented and addressed early. This bill outlines a lot of ways we can bolster every child's development to be on track for learning, being good citizens, and becoming good parents themselves. Currently, families will contact me and tell me they have been waiting up to a year to get the services they need, and even as a professional it is extremely confusing to know where to start or who to ask. A coordinated program with evidence-based foundation will make this much more efficient.

Mental Health Virginia supports efforts to make children's mental health a priority. There is urgency to this issue, and the earlier we can assess a child's needs then the sooner they can get the appropriate support and the better the outcomes. It is so important that the adults in each child's life, parents, teachers, caregivers, have the training and tools they need in order to support a child's health, including mental health.

At Voices for Virginia's Children, we are committed to advocating for policies that protect and promote the well-being of Virginia’s youth. HB 1760, the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Act, represents a vital step in supporting the mental health of young children and families across the Commonwealth. This bill addresses a growing need to provide mental health support for children ages five and under, a period in life that is foundational for lifelong health, development, and well-being. Virginia, like many states, faces significant challenges when it comes to addressing the mental health needs of young children. By implementing the programs outlined in HB 1760, Virginia will be taking a significant step toward ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the mental health support they need during these critical early years.

Sent to Lester (Morefield) via house.

Please vote YES for HB1762 which would give people with SSDI but who do not have Medicare yet the ability to have Medicaid. This would benefit people in particular who are on the Medicaid Waiver Waitlist and who do not have any medical coverage. These people with SSDI will eventually after the time period passes be given Medicare coverage. Eventually, these same people would also have access to Medicare. This should be extended to them now when they are in this gap period. Please vote YES for HB1762

Mental Health Virginia supports all efforts to remove barriers that are not needed to protect the public but which prevent otherwise qualified peer specialists from being hired when the employer wants to hire them. Virginia has one of the worst rankings for access to a behavioral health workforce. We need trained peer specialists in positions where they can use their own lived experience to help others.

Voices for Virginia's Children support HB1877 as it removes significant financial barriers for individuals who would otherwise be appropriate to be licensed as a peer recovery specialist in the state. This bill improves access for individuals to become PRS' and thus, opens up more opportunities for the Commonwealth to meet the needs of our community members living with mental health challenges and illness.

Members of the Committee, My name is Ashley Arthur, and I am the Vice President of Market Access and Government Affairs at GeneDx, a national leader in genomic testing for rare diseases. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important legislation. This bill represents an important step forward for Virginia families, and I want to stress the value of incorporating lessons learned from other states to ensure that this program delivers the access and outcomes it promises. GeneDx has been involved in rWGS implementation across the country, and we’ve seen that very well-intentioned programs face operational barriers that limit their effectiveness. To avoid these same challenges, I urge the Committee to address the following key areas: Carve Out rWGS Payment From the Inpatient DRG Model: The DRG payment model bundles payments for all services during an inpatient stay. While it promotes efficiency, it does not account for specialized diagnostics like rWGS. Due to financial uncertainty, hospitals often delay or avoid ordering rWGS without test-specific reimbursement. Explicitly recognizing rWGS as a separately reimbursed service will empower hospitals to order this test based on clinical need rather than financial considerations. Reimbursement Flexibility for Hospitals and Labs: The bill should clarify that rWGS reimbursement can be directed either to the hospital or the performing laboratory, depending on who provides the service. This flexibility ensures operational efficiency and accommodates the partnerships hospitals rely on to access specialized labs like GeneDx. Access Without Prior Authorization: Requiring prior authorization for rWGS in critical care settings creates delays that undermine the purpose of this test. Virginia should ensure that rWGS is exempt from prior authorization, with post-service review used as needed for oversight. Clear Guidance for Managed Medicaid Plans: Inconsistent implementation by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) has been a major barrier in other states, with claims denied due to network issues, coverage misinterpretations, or administrative delays. Either bypassing the MCOs or providing very clear implementation guidance to MCOs will be essential to avoid these issues. The benefits of rWGS are well-documented. In studies like Project Baby Manatee at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, rWGS delivered a diagnosis in 40% of cases, changed medical management in 33% of cases, and saved $75,000 per child tested. When utilization is optimized, these benefits translate to improved child outcomes and significant cost savings for Medicaid. Virginia has the opportunity to lead the nation by designing a comprehensive and effective rWGS program that serves as a model for other states. By carving out reimbursement, simplifying access, and providing operational clarity, this legislation can ensure that every eligible child receives the timely, life-saving diagnosis they deserve. Finally, I want to emphasize GeneDx’s commitment to supporting this process. We look forward to providing the Committee and Virginia Medicaid with any assistance, knowledge, or insights they may need as this legislation becomes law. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Ashley Arthur VP, Market Access, GeneDx

I am a pediatric genetic counselor in Virginia. I am strongly in support of HB 1900. If passed, this legislation will allow me to provide more effective, efficient, economical, and personalized care to our most vulnerable and innocent patients. This legislation will also allow Virginia to provide what is becoming standard of care for this population and will begin the process of advancing coverage by commercial payors.

I am a pediatric genetic counselor in Virginia. I am strongly in support of HB 1900. If passed, this legislation will allow me to provide more effective, efficient, economical, and personalized care to our most vulnerable and innocent patients. This legislation will also allow Virginia to provide what is becoming standard of care for this population and will begin the process of advancing coverage by commercial payors.

I fully support HB 1904. As a midwife, representing the VIRGINIA MIDWIVES ALLIANCE, and midwives of VA, I echo the written testimonies already submitted stating that we must do all we can to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in the commonwealth. We must do all that we can to ensure that rural labor and delivery departments are able to stay open 24/7. I serve Danville as a home birth midwife. When Sovah Danville Regional hospital abruptly closed their labor a delivery services for 5 days in November, 2024, one of my patients was 1 week from her due date. We had to scramble in order to secure an emergency care plan for her, should she need transfer to a hospital. The nearest VA birthing hospital is 1 hours 15 minutes away in Lynchburg. This is an unacceptably far commute for a laboring mother with an obstetric emergency to travel. We elected to take her to Greensboro, NC should she need hospital care. This is also unacceptable, as we were unsure if her insurance would be accepted. Additionally, we were unsure if a VA ambulance would transport her to a NC hospital. Additionally, because Licensed Midwives are prohibited from practicing in NC, we could have faced criminal charges if we had needed to provide midwifery care to her en route. This was all incredibly stressful for our birth team and the patient. I imagine that all of the pregnant women in Danville were even more stressed out. The commonwealth has an opportunity to fix this problem, and it is our responsibility to the citizens of VA to do so.

I am submitting testimony on behalf of the Justice & Witness Action Network – VA of the United Church of Christ. Our faith calls us to advocate for a health care system that is inclusive, affordable, accountable, and accessible to all. According to current Virginia code, if a pediatrician is not available on call at a hospital, that forces the hospital nursery to close, which means that labor & delivery must also close. Nearly one third of Virginia counties are considered maternity care deserts, due primarily to a lack of qualified maternity and newborn care providers. Licensed certified nurse-midwives are qualified to provide care not only to women but also to newborns up to the age of 28 days. HB1904 helps to address the disparity of care across the state by expanding the availability of appropriate care for newborns and mothers and helping to keep rural hospitals open for maternity care. We ask you to support this bill.

I am a Registered Nurse working in a rural hospital setting on a LDRP (Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum) unit in central VA. We currently have ONE pediatrician in our community. The hospital does not have a pediatric unit. We do however have the LDRP with a level 1 nursery and no NICU. We have a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in house 24/7 and a CNM is at all of our deliveries (unless surgical). Our nurses are highly trained to care for well newborns and to stabilize and transport sick newborns. The pediatrician does not come to most births on our unit. They attend cesarean sections (though occasionally they do not arrive in time for an emergent cesarean birth), and may be called to attend if we anticipate a newborn resuscitation might be needed. The majority of newborns do not need any assistance at birth, and the ones that do often do not let us know ahead of time. The resuscitation of newborns is done primarily by nurses and respiratory therapists with no pediatrician on site, and when a higher level of care is needed, a transfer to a hospital with a higher level of care is initiated. This bill does not give any additional scope to Certified Nurse Midwives and Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. It simply allows them to work to the limits of their scope. Our hospital hires locums when possible to fill the gaps in pediatric coverage. However, they cannot always find someone for the job. The load for 24/7 coverage has fallen to this one physician over and over again. I cannot imagine the stress of being on call 24/7 and knowing that taking even one day off will cause the closure of an entire hospital unit. Imagine also knowing that there is a qualified professional on the unit who could cover for you, but the law will not allow it. My hospital is situated in the center of a maternity care desert. The two nearest hospitals with maternity care are 50 and 53 miles away. Imagine yourself, your spouse, your daughter, your friend is in labor. You show up to the hospital to find that the Birth Center is closed and you have to have your baby in the Emergency Department (we have done this) and then be transferred to another hospital once the baby arrives, or you can take the one hour trip to another facility. Neither of these is ideal, especially when there is already a trained and qualified health care provider on site. I encourage you to vote YES on HB 1904 to keep rural Labor and Delivery units open by permitting additional qualified providers to provide nursery care.

As a certified nurse midwife licensed in Virginia, I am for this bill. Advanced practice nurses to include certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners and Certified Midwives should be allowed to practice within the scope of their education and training. Midwives are trained to provide care to the healthy newborn through the first 28 days of life, which you can read about on the American College of Nurse Midwives website: https://www.midwife.org/About-the-Midwifery-Profession. It is within the scope of practice of a certified nurse midwife, certified Midwife, or pediatric nurse practitioner to care for a healthy newborn. These providers can serve a critical role in serving communities that have a health care worker shortage. I personally provided care to newborns as a birth center midwife in Virginia. I assessed newborns at birth and conducted a thorough newborn exam shortly after birth. I conducted a follow up exam on the newborn and mother the next day after birth to reassess their status. Newborns were typically seen by their primary provider within a few days after the birth, consistent with hospital discharge procedure. When a newborn is discharged from the hospital after birth, they typically return to the outpatient office within a few days for an exam, weight check, and to discuss breastfeeding. I support health care providers practicing at the top of their education and training. I support this bill.

I am writing to strongly support HB1904. Certified nurse midwives and certified midwives can care for newborns from birth through 28 days of life and refer to other healthcare facilities when necessary. HB1904 allows hospitals to maintain active labor and delivery facilities if a certified nurse midwife or certified midwife is available even if a pediatrician is not available. This will be especially beneficial for rural hospitals to be able to provide labor and delivery services at times a pediatrician is not available, thereby helping pregnant women in rural areas to avoid long travel distances when they go into labor. We need to do everything we can to improve maternal mortality rates in the Commonwealth. This is one key step to help pregnant women living in rural areas. Thanks so much Dr. Lisa G Kaplowitz, MD, MSHA

I fully support HB1904 to allow coverage for nursery services by certified nurse midwives, licensed certified midwives, and nurse practitioners. As a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who is licensed to practice independently, I feel this is an excellent solution to the grave lack of maternity care especially in the rural areas of Virginia. By promoting more local care, transfers of laboring moms can be avoided, and the best possible outcomes can be achieved for both the baby and mother. Respectfully submitted, Robin W. Allman, CPNP (ret).

Now, more than ever, does The Commonwealth have such an urgent task to provide consistent, accessible, and affordable health care services for women. Without well researched programs and streamlined processes women are at risk. Please support these initiatives and vote to strengthen these necessary footholds for all women in Virginia.

Now, more than ever, does The Commonwealth have such an urgent task to provide consistent, accessible, and affordable health care services for women. Without well researched programs and streamlined processes women are at risk. Please support these initiatives and vote to strengthen these necessary footholds for all women in Virginia.

Comments Document

See attached letter

Comments Document

See attached for Philips comment letter.

VALA supports the replication of the RAFT program in other regions of Virginia. The RAFT program in Northern VA has been successful in providing services to older adults with mental illness and dementia.

CHSVA strongly supports this bill. Virginia has a significant number of youth who have aged out of foster care and need supports as they navigate the transition to adulthood. As an organization that provides services to youth who have aged out of foster care, we have worked with many youth who need some services beyond age 21 to ensure they thrive in adulthood. Many youth who have aged out of foster care have suffered from significant trauma and a lack of resources and tools that would typically help a youth that age navigate early adulthood. Youth who have aged out of foster care deserve a support system just as much as any other youth and this bill will help provide that to them.

In 2011, I was the DSS social worker for a young woman in foster care who turned 18. At that time, there was no extended foster care so the only option for her was a boarding house. On her 18th birthday, she officially exited foster care after never being adopted and was dropped at this boarding house. Over the next 10 years, she experienced homelessness, was trafficked to one of the largest sex trafficking hubs in our country, was incarcerated and was hospitalized. 10 years after she was dropped at the boarding house on her birthday, she was killed and then buried as an indigent person far from her hometown because they couldn’t find her next of kin. Today, her biological sister is still fighting to be considered next of kin so that she can finally have her sister cremated instead of in an unmarked grave at a cemetery without an address. The statistics tell us this kind of story and outcome is sadly more common than what we would like to believe. The more support we can provide to worthy youth aging out of foster care when we can make a sustainable difference in their lives, the better outcomes we will have. While I would like to see a higher level of accountability placed on the Independent Living programs that taxpayers fund for kids in extended foster care and increased resources to fund more child welfare social work positions, any opportunity to support a youth in foster care is one that I stand by.

We have been fortunate to have had our 17 year old foster son with us since he was 14. We were only told that he was nonverbal and suffered from neglect. He was underweight and failing at school. It took several weeks for him to make eye contact or give more than a grunt response. He has come so far in 3 short years- from not knowing how to use silverware, button his pants, tie his shoes or read a clock to having a job and completing his first college course. He is finally beginning to open up emotionally and starting to consider possibilities for his future. Our largest fear is that he will not have constant family support to help him become a stable adult. Ny living with 2 parents, 2 older brothers, a younger sister and younger brother, he is learning how a family works together. He sees how his brothers handle working while going to school. He sees his younger sister and brother play sports and socialize with their friends. He has learned how to cook and contribute to making family meals. These are skills that cannot be memorized; they must be experienced. Like other foster parents, we are trying to squeeze 18 years of parenting and life experiences into 4 short years. We are trying to undo damage that was done and build up a functioning adult who can not only support himself, but contribute to society. He just needs a little more time. There are so many things we have yet to help him with- buy his first car, graduate school, start a career, move into his own home. Please allow him a little more time to continue growing.

Good Day , My name is D Yvonne Rivers, I am a birth/first Mom who gave birth in 1973 to my son who was placed in adoption in Virginia . I searched for 45 years before finding him on social media in 2018. We have been in reunion since then. He has questions about his story that I have shared. When I gave birth , I never asked anyone to seal his birth records or hide from me being his mother . I always wanted my son to know me. We are buiding a realtionship and I hear him say , why can't he get his Original Birth certificate and he is 51 years old with children. He has a right to his own records. I am a Black woman and my son is a Black man, History in Virginia served as a place of slavery that slaves had no access to birth records. This is very traumatizing in 2024 to 'return" to those times. I started a podcast in 2021 , Birth Moms Real Talk interviewing hundreds of Birth/First Moms across the US and the Globe , none asked for closed OBC. We love our children . We do Facebook LIVE monthly with adoptees, birth/firstMoms and adopted Moms and over 250,000 listeners say the same thing . OPEN OBC in all 50 states . Pass This Bill

I am requesting your favorable vote in support HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES!

I am requesting your favorable vote in support HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES!

I am requesting your favorable vote in support HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES!

I am requesting your favorable vote in support HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES!

I am requesting your favorable vote in support HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES!

As an adoptive parent in Virginia, I urge you to vote YES on HB 2093 in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES! Sincerely, Kathleen Morris Montgomery County

As an adoptive parent in Virginia, I urge you to vote YES on HB 2093 in the upcoming House Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. HB 2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly advocate for treating adult adoptees with dignity, respect, and equality under the law, the same as non-adopted citizens of Virginia. This bill is very important to me and my family and I enthusiastically urge you to support HB 2093 by voting YES! Sincerely, Kathleen Morris Montgomery County

My name is Amy White Eyes and I am Oglala Lakota of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Adopted in Virginia at birth in 1987, I was denied the right to be placed with my Lakota grandmother, which is a violation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. After a 15 year search, finding my family has brought me immense peace and a profound sense of belonging, allowing me to reconnect with my Lakota heritage and participate in sacred ceremonies. Now, I wish to register with my tribe, a fundamental right. However, obtaining my original birth certificate, crucial for tribal enrollment, requires a costly court order — only obtainable by hiring a lawyer. This bill would allow me, like any other Virginian, to access my birth record and claim my rightful place within Oglala Lakota Nation. I urge you to support HB2093 and ensure that all Virginians have equal access to their birth records.

As an adult born and adopted in Virginia (in 1961), I am writing to express my unwavering support for HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) and request your favorable vote. HB2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons like me, born in Virginia, to obtain our own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly believe adult adopted people should be treated with dignity, respect, and as equals under the law to non-adopted citizens of Virginia. The current separate process for adult adoptees is lengthy, inefficient, discriminatory, complicated and unfair, as I know from personal experience. I am personally affected by this bill and I strongly encourage you to support HB2093, by voting YES! Your affirmative vote will help advance adoption policies towards a more inclusive and compassionate direction.

Many states have opened their adoption records, it is time for Virginia to do the same. I am fortunate to have identified my birthmother through DNA, too bad it was 3 months after her death. I first filled for birth information in 1999 and in 2014 the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services closed my request. 15 years.

Adoptees have a right to or birth certificates just like anyone else. This bill is a small step in that direction.

As a first mother, I strongly urge progression of this bill through committee. The often espoused argument that as first mothers we need "protection" is simply not true. The vast majority of us were never promised, nor desired, anonymity. Adoptees deserve to know their roots. To deny them is profoundly unjust.

I think every person should have the right to view their original Birth Certificate, if they choose to do so. It is every person's right.

Everyone should have access to their original birth certificate

To whom it may concern - Thank you for allowing the space for Adoptees and their families to share their voices. Adoptees are specifically left voiceless through the adoption industry processes, though we are the ones who are most in need of agency. Having access to accurate medical records is enshrined in the American rights for all, but those adopted. This causes adoptees to not only had additional unknowns about their origins, but costly and dangerous gaps in their medical knowledge. I had over a year and thousands of dollars spent to try to diagnose something that we would have known I have a genetic predisposition to experiencing had I had access to my medical records. However it wasn’t until after years of pain, medical complications (in which I also experienced multiple losses of pregnancy), and costly testing and surgeries that I found my biological mother and gained clarity from her own medical history that would have informed my care much faster and before such harm was done. Please pass this bill and put an end to at least one of the harms inflicted upon adoptees in the process of this multi-million dollar industry that too often results in the exploitation of minors and those in vulnerable positions.

Access to accurate vital documents is a human right. I was adopted after the death of a biological parent and didn’t know that my mother would be erased from my birth certificate and replaced with my step parent. There is no way for me to access the original document or reverse the process. No child can give consent to permanently alter their identity. Please support adult adoptees’ access to their original vital documents. Thank you.

I urge you to support and assist in the passage of HB 2093 to restore the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. Adult adopted people should be treated with dignity, respect, and as equals under the law to non-adopted citizens of Virginia.

I support HB2093. I am an adoptive parent. I would want my children to have access to their original birth certificates. One of my children was placed in a closed adoption. I believe she still has a human right to this document.

As a natural mother, I write to you in support of this bill. I was never promised, requested, or wanted anonymity. Adoptees (and their descendants) deserve the truth of their origins.

Thank you for this opportunity to submit a statement of support. The Family Preservation Project supports HB2093. Having access to one’s original birth certificate is a civil right that should be absolute for ALL citizens.  The Family Preservation Project is a parenting resource and adoption education website originated and administered by a birth/first mother. The Family Preservation Project strongly supports adopted persons’ rights to access their original birth certificates without restriction or qualification.  The Family Preservation Project is administered by a birth/first mother who was never promised confidentiality and has had many exchanges with other birth/first mothers and expectant parents considering adoption who were also never promised confidentiality. The promise of confidentiality has never been and is currently not a standard practice amongst adoption facilitators. This is a point referenced by The Family Preservation Project when educating expectant parents who are considering adoption.  I trust that birth/first mothers speaking for themselves, rather than being spoken for, will resolve any myths of supposed promised confidentiality. Once resolved, I trust that the fundamental right to access a citizen’s original birth certificate will be of paramount concern.  Thank you for your consideration.  Sincerely,  Katie Burns  Administrator, The Family Preservation Project  TheFamilyPreservationProject@gmail.com

My name is Elise Lewis and I am a former resident of Virginia. Having lived in Virginia for 15 years, I deeply care about Virginia and Virginia's adult adopted people. I currently serve as the President of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform. LCAR partnered with Rep. Charles Owen pass HB 450 to restore the right of access to Louisiana's adult adopted people which went into effect August 1, 2022 as Act 470. It has had a tremendously positive response. HB 2093 would allow adult adopted people to be treated with dignity, respect and as equals to non-adopted citizens in Virginia to receive their original birth certificate on demand like every other citizen. I am writing to ask your support and for a YES vote on HB 2093 as presented without additional amendments. Thank you.

I am a birth mom who gave birth to my son in Virginia in 1973. It is important that all persons receive the same access to birth records. My son deserves to have access to his original birth certifcate just as all other non-adoptted Virginians . This is about equal rights in offering access to original and not amended birth certificates. My son wonders at 51 years of age about his origin by not having his Original Birth Certificate . Support HB 2093 It is simply the right thing to do .

Adoptees deserve the right to access their original birth certificates and medical records. These should never be sealed or their access restricted Signed, adoptive parent

Writing IN SUPPORT of HB 2093 Dear Members of the Virginia House HHS Behavioral Health Subcommittee: My name is Renee Gelin and I am writing to you as the Founder/President of the national 501c3 non-profit grassroots organization named Saving Our Sisters - SOS, Incorporated. SOS is a family preservation focused organization that I was driven to create after I personally experienced too late what adoption really meant for my son and my family. SOS’ mission is to support all members of expectant and new families considering adoption. We are committed to helping them make fully informed decisions based on fully disclosed information that so many other families in the past, including my own, have learned too late. We are dedicated to ensuring that a permanent solution of adoption is not applied to temporary crises, and most importantly that the decision is not based on omitted, partially omitted or misinformation of adoption facts. Mothers who are only intending to make the best possible decision for their child deserve at least that. You also should know that the thousands of Mothers who have connected with SOS over the last 13 years who were/are considering relinquishing their children for adoption ARE NOT made fully aware of the sealing of their child’s original birth certificate and all the implications this will have on their child as they grow to be an adult. There is most definitely never a ‘guarantee’ of ‘privacy’ and in fact there are promises for ‘openness’ and that their family will ‘have a relationship’ with the adoptee through ‘open adoption’. Most Mothers are only entertaining adoption because of the level of openness being promised. So why do the laws for adoptees to obtain the truth of their origins not support the openness that is so widely promised and touted by adoption entities and professionals in today's 'modern' adoptions? It's time for the laws to catch up. Consistent with the mission and goals of Saving Our Sisters - SOS of full disclosure, truth and transparency in adoption, we support HB2093 for adopted people who most likely never had a choice or a voice in their adoption. Respectfully, Renee Gelin, Founder/President Saving Our Sisters - SOS, Incorporated A family preservation first organization. www.savingoursistersadoption.org

HB2093- please allow adults 18 and over to have access to their original birth certificate. It will make a huge difference in their lives and allow for closure.

My name is Andrea Martens. I'm a resident of Fauquier county Virginia. On behalf of the adoptees in my life I urge you to vote yes on HB2093 that will grant adult adoptees access to their original birth certificate along with their birth parents' contact preference form. Everyone deserves to know their own story, and I know from my friends that lack of access to their own personal history can make dealing with their adoption so much more difficult! It is time for Virginia to join the other 15 states that have moved to correct the inequality in rights created by our states' dual birth certificate system created for antiquated perceptions of adoption. Thank you, Andrea Martens

Writing IN SUPPORT of Adult adoptee access to original birth certificates Dear Members of the HHS Behavioral Health Subcommittee, My name is Renee Gelin, and I am a mother who relinquished a child in 2011. I am also the founder of a national non-profit organization called Saving Our Sisters. SOS is a family preservation focused organization committed to helping ensure families make informed decisions before applying a permanent solution to a temporary crisis. We provide direct action via mentoring, education, resources and information including details of how an adopted child’s original birth certificate may be sealed upon adoption finalization depending on the state. A fact that the majority of adoption entities omit when working with expectant families considering adoption today. We have helped well over 3,000 families make informed decisions over the last 10 years. I am considered a ‘newer’ first/birth mother. I am from what society knows to be the ‘open adoption’ era - where everyone involved in the adoption of the child knows each other. Where the pregnant mother picks her unborn child’s adoptive family and who she builds a relationship with prior to her child’s birth. Where ‘openness’ via visits that include participation from both immediate and extended adoptive and natural/biological family members occur. Where adoptive and natural/biological family members know each other’s names, addresses, birthdays and family histories. Where we all - the child’s collective family - put the child first. Because that is what is best for him. When I relinquished my rights to my son in that hospital room that Saturday evening in March 2011 surrounded by my son’s father, my oldest daughter - my son’s sister, my sister - my son’s aunt and his new adoptive parents I had never been informed that my son’s original live certificate of birth would be sealed away and kept from him even after he turned 18. But after learning about the sealing of his original birth certificate many months later, it all of a sudden made sense as I remembered that the hospital records person who came to my room to complete his birth certificate information did not allow me to put my son’s father on his birth certificate. When I asked why, she replied, ‘We just don’t in these situations.’ Our son, brother, nephew and grandson is not a secret. He did not enter into any contract. He did not agree to be treated differently from his peers. He did not agree to relinquish his family medical or genealogical heritage. In fact, he can’t - it’s in his blood. I love our son with all my heart, and never ever would I, his first/birth /natural/biological mother, want to deprive him of anything or have him be treated differently than anyone else. I never believed that I would retain any rights or control over his right to obtain his original live certificate of birth. My son will be an adult one day, and I feel very strongly that he should have the same rights as the children I am raising as well as all other non-adopted adults. Please do not treat Virginia adopted persons as perpetual children and allow others to control their ability to exercise their decision to obtain their own original live certificate of birth - once a legal vital record. Sincerely, Renee Gelin Founder/President Saving Our Sisters - SOS, Incorporated Mobile: 727-744-6468 Email: sosadoption247@gmail.com Website: https://www.savingoursistersadoption.org

I am writing to whomever it my concern. Please pass, HB2093 Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate; contact preference form. As the birth father of an adoptee that has united with my daughter I have learned from her how important it is for her to know her history.

I am writing to express my strong support for Virginia House Bill 2093, which advocates for granting adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. As an adoptive parent, I believe it is essential to uphold my child’s human rights and ensure that all adoptees are treated with dignity and equity. Adoptees are four times more likely to attempt suicide and six to eight times more likely to struggle with mental health issues and substance use disorders compared to their non-adopted peers. Research has shown that much of this stems from maternal separation trauma and the enduring effects of being denied access to their own identity. It is a basic human right to know who you are and where you come from—a right that most Americans take for granted but is routinely denied to adoptees. The practice of sealing original birth certificates and issuing amended ones that list adoptive parents as birth parents is, at its core, a misrepresentation of reality. I did not give birth to my son, and his amended birth certificate falsely claiming otherwise erases the truth of his origins. This not only undermines his right to access his full history but also perpetuates the commodification of adoptees by treating their identities as transferable documents, akin to car titles. At a bare minimum, if society continues to treat adoptees in this manner, the least we can do is ensure they have access to their original birth certificates. Denying this access sends a harmful message about the value of adoptees’ rights and humanity. This issue extends beyond personal stories—it is a matter of equity and justice. The United Nations recognizes the right to identity as a fundamental human right. Yet, in the United States, adoptees in the majority of states are denied this right due to outdated policies rooted in secrecy and stigma. Only a small fraction of states allow adoptees full access to their original birth certificates, often under restrictive and arbitrary conditions. We have a moral obligation to rectify this injustice. Passing Virginia House Bill 2093 is a crucial step in affirming adoptees’ rights and addressing the trauma and inequities they face. It is time for us, as a society, to recognize adoptees as full and equal members of our community, deserving of the same rights and dignity afforded to others. I urge you to support this vital initiative and stand on the side of human rights, equity, and transparency. Sincerely, Brenda Chapel Adoptive Parent

Please allow adoptees access to their original birth certificates As an adoptive parent I feel it’s very important for adopted to have access to this vital information about themselves. They shouldn’t have to fight to receive something that other citizens easily get to obtain. Thank you.

As the husband of an adopted person and resident of Richmond, VA, I am writing to express my unwavering support for HB 2093 (Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate) and request your support when this (hopefully) comes before the House after successfully passing the Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Subcommittee. HB2093 simply restores the right of adult adopted persons, born in Virginia, to obtain their own original birth certificate without hindrances. I firmly believe adult adopted people should be treated with dignity, respect, and as equals under the law to non-adopted citizens of Virginia. I am personally affected by this bill and I strongly encourage you to support HB2093, as written, by voting YES! Your affirmative vote will help advance adoption policies towards a more inclusive and compassionate direction. Sincerely, David W. Roberts Richmond, VA

I was born in Norfolk, VA and relinquished for an adoption that was finalized when I was 6 months old. In accordance with Virginia code, at the finalization of my adoption, the law required that my original birth certificate, which recorded the facts of my birth, to be taken from me and sealed. This was solely due to the fact that I was adopted. Not relinquished, but adopted. My birth certificate was not sealed at the request of my birth mother. It was not even an option she was given, because neither termination of parental rights documents or Virginia law, offer or promise anonymity to a parent from their own offspring - since it is not a guarantee that would be legally possible. My mother did not want my identity or hers to be kept from me, instead that was forced upon us by the law. Obtaining one’s own birth record is a basic right that all other groups of people have except adopted persons, and a right that Virginia-born adopted previously held. In fact, sealing birth certificates was intended to keep sensitive information private from public view, not to keep a person from knowing their own identity. Virginia HB2093 does one simple thing - give adult adopted persons the unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificate. Restoring this right is essential to ensuring equality for all adult adopted persons and I ask for your favorable vote on this bill.

Re: bill 2093 Adult adoptees should have access to their original birth certificates. I am an adoptive parent, and my children have archival copies of their original birth certificates. These records will allow them to research their birth families and to know historical information about themselves.

I am writing to urge you to vote “Yes” on HB2093, a critical bill that would reinstate the right of adult adoptees in Virginia to access their original birth certificates. This legislation is about fairness, equality, and respect for every individual’s right to their personal history and identity. Currently, adult adoptees in Virginia face significant barriers to obtaining the vital statistics document that reflects the factual information of their birth. This restriction creates an unnecessary inequity, as individuals who are not adopted have unfettered access to their birth certificates. HB2093 seeks to correct this imbalance by ensuring that all Virginians, regardless of their adoption status, have equal rights under the law. By passing HB2093, Virginia would join a growing number of states that have already recognized the importance of this issue and taken steps to restore adoptees’ access to their birth records. This bill does not infringe on anyone’s privacy but instead provides adoptees with the dignity and autonomy to understand their own stories. I urge you to support HB2093 and ensure that adult adoptees in Virginia are granted the same legal rights as every other Virginia citizen. Your “Yes” vote would affirm Virginia’s commitment to equality and human dignity. Thank you for considering this important issue. I would be happy to provide further insights or answer any questions you may have.

Please reinstate adoptees’ rights to access the original vital record of our birth. Currently, adopted people are the only people for whom the state falsifies an identity upon adoption and withholds our original records from us. Please treat adopted citizens like every other citizen. I was born in and adopted in Virginia and this directly affects me. Thank you.

Comments Document

OBC access is not about search and reunion Many adopted people are not interested in pursuing a search. Instead, access is about obtaining our state-generated and held document of our birth, something the Not Adopted don’t even think about. There is no state interest in keeping original birth certificates sealed from adult adoptees to whom they pertain nor does the state have a right or duty to mediate and oversee the personal relationships of adults. The debate on the release of OBCs to its adopted citizens is small v large government issue. Small government should win this one. Adopted people in 15 states have unrestricted access to their OBCs Not one single negative report about unsealing has been published. Access has been normalized. Adoptees are treated just like the Not Adopted and like the Not Adopted no one denies that they have a right to those records and information. Please vote DO PASS on HB2093. It’s the right thing to do.

Comments Document

I am a lawyer and national expert on the issue of adopted people and their right to their own original birth records. I urge a favorable report on HB2093. I have attached a more comprehensive letter about this issue, including resources that illustrate how HB2093 would work and how today's current approach to this issue is outdated and invasive to everyone impacted by the adoption.

Committee Members, Please support HB2093 Adult Birth Certificates for adopted persons I am a birth mother to a lovely daughter born in May 1968. I was NOT promised anonymity. I did give up my parental rights to not interfere with her or the adopted parents. When HB2093 passes Virginia will be the 16th state to do so. My daughter FOUND ME years ago and we have a friendly relationship. We were able to confirm our status as well as her dad through DNA which is now available to everyone. Her dad chose not to have contact and both of us have honored that. My point being an original birth certificate will not keep folks from searching. The certificate allows adopted folks have the same rights as every other person. Thank you for your consideration to pass HB2093 unanimously.

Good Afternoon I was adopted in Fairfax County in 1964 and ask for your support granting adult adoptees access to our original birth certificates. Adoptees just want equal access. On a personal note, as a mother and grandmother, this effects my descendants as they too are denied family history documents. Respectfully Kerry McKendry

As a Virginia resident and former adoption social worker, I am in full support of this bill. All Virginians deserve the same access to their birth certificate. Please consider the valuable insights of professionals in this field and adoptees themselves on this matter. Lead the way in joining other states in making this important change for those who deserve it. Thank you.

In 1967 I had the misfortune to be an "unwed" mother. At that time, such a status made me a social pariah. I had no job, no money, no place to live, and no help from my divorced parents. The baby's father was not available to marry me. So I was incarcerated in a Florence Crittenton "Home for Unwed Mothers" for six months until I gave birth to what would be my only child. Social workers indoctrinated me with the idea that I was doing the best thing for my child by giving him to a married couple. Social workers chose the people who would parent my son and change his identity; we never met, I was not offered a choice, I had to promise that I would never interere with the adopting parents but no one promised me ANYTHING. It was assumed I would never speak of this because it was literally unspeakable for me to be an unwed mother. I wholeheartedly support the right of any adopted person or any relinquishing mother to have access to the REAL birth certificate with the name of the first mother on it. As I said, I was never promised privacy; only the adopting couple got that. Every human being has the right to know their true identity, their genetics, their biology, and the identity of their original parents. Please pass this bill. It would be cruel not to.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia supports HB2102 which would allow pregnant persons to have immediate access to prenatal care avoiding the delay caused by time required for Medicaid paperwork processing. Given the fact that Virginia is one of ten states where more than two-thirds of counties are in a maternity desert and the fact that Virginia is ranked 40th for maternal mortality rate, interventions such as early access to health care seem prudent. We urge you to support HB2102.

I am testifying on behalf of the Justice & Witness Action Network - VA of The United Church of Christ. As Christians, we are committed to achieving racial and economic justice, and we advocate for health care as a right and priority for all people. This bill provides presumptive eligibility for pregnant women (PEPW) and allows for immediate enrollment in Medicaid without waiting up to 45 days for paperwork to be processed. Virginia is ranked 40th for its maternal mortality rate per the Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Scorecard. This bill will encourage better health care and outcomes for mothers and babies in Virginia. We urge you to vote for HB2102. Thank you.

Comments Document

Attached is my statement regarding the need for extended early intervention services

VALA supports HB2489. Expanding the scope of practice for physicians assistants may alleviate some of the issues experienced by seniors residing in assisted living communities in getting appropriate treatment plans and paperwork from the medical provider as required by regulations. Having physician assistants with an expanded scope of practice may help reduce wait times for medical appointments by having additional providers which would improve the overall care for seniors.