Legislation that changes the law sealing adoption records was released Monday by the Assembly Human Resources Committee.
The Senate has passed the bill four times since 2004. Monday was its first hearing in the Assembly.
If the bill becomes law, parents who surrendered their children for adoption would have one year to shield their identities. After that, an adopted adult or adoptive parent would be able to request a copy of the adoptee's birth certificate.
Opponents claim the measure violates the privacy birth mothers expected when they gave up their children.
Read more Parenting Perspective blogs by visiting the Parenting Channel on 6abc.com.