Adopted New Yorkers looking to unite with biological siblings may finally get a chance.
A new bill in Albany would allow adoptees 21 or older to petition the courts to determine if they have biological brothers or sisters.
At present, the adoptees have no legal right to obtain that information via state records.
Under the proposed law, a biological sibling, if found, would have the right to accept or reject the relative’s overture.
“It is natural for an adopted person to want to know about their biological family . . . there is no process for reuniting siblings if they were adopted by different families,” says a memo explaining the bill, sponsored by state Sen. Ken LaValle (R-Suffolk) and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-Rockland).
The measure would bar the release of the identities of the blood parents.
Under the bill, an inquisitive adoptee would have to file the petition in the county where the adoption took place.
The court would then review records to see if the petitioner has a biological sibling 21 or older.
If the petitioner does, the court would send a letter to the relative saying an adopted sibling wants to make contact.
The recipient would then decide whether to agree to a meeting.