Hundreds of people who were adopted are pressing Connecticut lawmakers to allow all adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates.
In testimony submitted from states as far away as Oregon, adoptees and birth parents are relaying touching stories about successful reunions or personal struggles to be reunited with a lost parent or child.
Republican Rep. Noreen Kokoruda said she worries the voices of birth mothers who gave up children for adoption years ago are not being heard in this emotional debate.
Nadine Behmke, a social worker at the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford, said she comes across many birth mothers "who don't want to be found."
A legislative committee heard testimony Friday on the bill. Current law allows access for adoptions finalized as of Oct. 1, 1983.
