AUGUSTA – Some legislators wanted to protect the rights of adults, who were adopted as children, to find their birth parents. Others wanted to protect their birth parents’ right to keep their identities confidential.

It was a quandary for representatives, who gave preliminary approval to a bill that establishes a process for adult adoptees to receive their original birth certificates.

Of 143 voting representatives, 104 were in favor of the motion.

Certificates are kept confidential now unless released by a probate judge.

Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. David Farrington, D-Gorham, adoptees 18 and older and born in Maine would be able to fill out an application to receive their birth certificate and optional medical history form. Birth parents would be able to fill out a contact preference form indicating if and how the adoptee can find them.

The bill will next go for initial consideration in the Senate, and then to both chambers for final approval.

The issue spurred emotional debate on both sides.

Proponents said allowing adoptees to learn their parents’ identities brings closure, gives them valuable medical history and allows them to see their heritage.

Farrington said that in the 1950s, when the laws were made, lawmakers believed they were protecting the adoptees.

“L.D. 1084 simply seeks to treat adults as adults,” Farrington said.

Rep. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, said when the laws were made, “No one ever considered that the children would grow up one day and want to know who they are.”

Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, said his brother-in-law was united with his birth parents at age 62, and it was a very positive experience.

“A great majority of all mothers would like that contact with their child,” Knight said.

Opponents, however, said many birth mothers were promised confidentiality when they gave the child up.

Rep. Janet Mills, D-Farmington, said many cases involved births in the 1950s, when there was no birth control or abortion options. “Women were sexually assaulted and there were no options for them,” Mills said. “They had no choice but to carry and give birth.”

Mills called the bill “one-sided,” not recognizing the rights of the birth parents. Though parents can request not to be contacted, in the age of Google there is no guarantee.

Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn, said it was a difficult decision, but she was voting against the bill. She read excerpts from a woman who submitted written testimony, but would not speak publicly because she wanted to remain anonymous.

“Am I about to be betrayed?” Simpson read. “Does anyone think a note ‘does not want to be contacted’ would stop them from doing this. I deserve the privacy I was promised.”