Chapter 4: State and Local Government
5/17/99

A number of states, including Colorado, have laws that subject parents to criminal penalties for knowingly or recklessly allowing their minor children to have access to guns or explosive materials. Should the states take the lead in legislating that parents be accountable for what their children are up to, particularly in regard to the possession and use of guns or bomb-making materials? Many have pointed fingers of responsibility at the parents of the two shooters at Columbine High School saying that they should have known from some obvious signs that their sons were going to engage in some violent activity. Should not heeding or knowing about such signs be sufficient proof to hold the parents criminally responsible for the shootings?

4/5/99

In Oregon, voters last fall approved Measure 58 that allows adoptees the unrestricted right to see their birth certificates when they turn 21. Since the biological mother's name appears on the birth certificate, an adoptee can easily find the natural mother's real name and perhaps track her down. It is now remarkably easy to locate people with all the person tracking systems that are available on the Web. Advocates for adoptees' rights argue such laws are necessary for adoptees to more fully know who they are. It is also argued that such laws are necessary for adoptees to get more complete information on their biological family history. Are they more prone to certain forms of cancer or other diseases that are genetically transmitted?

On the other side, birth mothers contend such laws violate the promise of confidentiality that was given to them at the time of the adoption. In fact, a group of birth mothers in Oregon has successfully delayed Measure 58 from going into effect until a pending lawsuit is resolved. Some are also concerned that if birth mothers are not ensured that their confidentiality will be maintained by the state then some of them may choose abortion as an option.

As family medical histories become more important in regard to diagnosing genetic diseases or receiving organ transplants, an increasing number of states are considering changes in their adoption regulations and procedures. These changes will hopefully be considered in the context of protecting the right to privacy.

For much more information about Measure 58 and the arguments for and against the measure go to Measure 58 at http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov398/guide/measure/m58.htm

1/14/99

Recently, the federal government decided to give to the states the primary responsibility for implementing welfare reform in this nation. The states have responded to the demand for creating a 'new welfare' by creating and implementing a variety of new programs. To see how the states are enacting new welfare reform programs, go to the Overview: Meeting the Challenges of Welfare Reform web site.

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