The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has long been known as the “pit bull” of federal environmental laws because of the inflex- ibility of how it attempts to protect species listed under the act, regardless of cost or impact on human activities. The law makes it a felony to “take” any species listed as endangered or threatened. The extremely broad interpretation of “take” includes activity to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any of these activities.” The scope of a take finding extends to both intentional and non-intentional activity.
Simplifying Adoption Records Access Procedures
Texas law presents a number of procedural difficulties for adoptees who wish to contact their birth families or obtain their original birth certificate and adoption records. This paper proposes reforms to reduce these barriers while balancing the rights and interests of all parties to an adoption. Key points Recent trends toward greater openness in adoption...