Twin Legislation Bill for Alabama

We, the undersigned, do hereby petition Alabama State Senators to sponsor and pass legislation similar to Minnesota's "Twin Bill". It was sponsored by Minnesota Senator Dennis Frederickson and signed into law by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty on May 5, 2005 and gives the parents/guardians of multiple birth children a voice in the decision to separate them into different classrooms. Several other states are also petitioning their representatives to pass similar legislation. We believe that arbitrarily separating all twins and other multiples based solely upon their multiplicity is discriminatory and therefore unacceptable. Multiplicity is a birthright and the decision to separate or keep the children together within the classroom should be made on a case-by-case basis, based upon the children's individual needs. Renowned twins researchers Dr. Nancy Segal, Dr. John Mascazine and the International Society for Twin Studies as well as support groups like the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs all advocate a flexible classroom placement policy. We also believe that parents/guardians of multiples should have the primary voice in any classroom placement decision made for their children, as they know best their individual psychological, emotional and social needs. With the increase of multiple birth children continuing to rise, this is an issue that will only gain more exposure and validity. We are asking that Alabama join other states and introduce and pass legislation to reflect these parental rights in protecting equality for multiple birth children and their parents.