The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 352, sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep. McMillin, concerning identifying information for adoptions. Sen. Steele, an author of the bill, explained that this bill repeals, effective July 1, 2016, provisions applicable to adoptions finalized before January 1, 1994, that prohibit the release of identifying adoption information unless a consent to release the information is on file. It also provides that beginning July 1, 2016 identifying adoption information may be released unless a non-release is on file, regardless of when the adoption was filed. Under current law, this provision applies only to adoptions filed after December 31, 1993. Testimony was received in favor of the bill by several adoptees and adoption advocates, and a professor from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Concerns were raised by a representative from Governor Pence’s office, and testimony against the bill was received from a local adoption attorney. The bill was held in anticipation of Committee amendments.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/352.