ACTION ALERT FROM BASTARD NATION

BASTARD NATION ACTION ALERT: HAWAI'I --VETO HB 1830--SAFE HAVEN LAW

PLEASE FORWARD FREELY!BASTARD NATION ACTION ALERTIF IT’S NOT BROKE--DON’T FIX IT!VETO HAWAI’I HB 1830 – Safe Haven ActAloha!!Hawai’ian adoptees and Governor Linda Lingle need your support…now!HB 1830 which would legalize newborn abandonment in Hawai’i through the implementation of “safe havens” has passed both houses and is on Gov. Linda Lingle’s desk awaiting her signature.In 2003 Lingle vetoed a similar bill saying that it would undermine traditional Hawai’ian family values and discourage mothers from seeking assistance from in-place resources. Lingle has made no public comment about the current bill, but there is no indication that she has changed her mind about “safe havens” in Hawai’i. In April, her senior policy adviser Linda Smith, in written testimony to the legislature, said, "Enactment of this bill may encourage those mothers to abandon their children rather than seeking help from the birth fathers, their families, and other supportive resources," an almost direct quote from Lingle’s 2003 veto statement.Gov Lingle is under tremendous political pressure to sign HB 1830 or let it pass into law without her signature. She has until June 23 to indicate whether she is considering vetoing the bill and until July 10 to take final action.Gov. Lingle needs to know that adoptee rights advocates and adoption reformers on the Mainland oppose safe havens as harmful to the rights of adoptees and the welfare of children and families,. She needs to know that we have her back when she refuses to bring “safe havens” to Hawai’i’WHAT YOU CAN DO:Read the bill Read Bastard Nation’s letter to Gov Lingle publisihed here on May 22. Contact Gov. Lingle and key legislators.