The House Committee on Judiciary heard SB 91, sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep. Gutwein, on release of identifying adoption information. The bill repeals existing provisions applicable to adoptions finalized before 1994 that prohibit the release of a birth parent’s information unless a consent to release is on file. Effective July 1, 2018, adoption information can be released unless a non-release form is on file (as has been the case for adoptions filed since 1994). Author Sen. Steele explained that the bill changes the default from “do not contact” to “do contact,” with options to be contacted directly, through an intermediary, not to be contacted except by the state registrar with requests for medical information, or not to be contacted or release information.
Among those that testified in support of the bill were representatives from the Hoosiers for Equal Access to Records, Indiana Adoption Network, and the National Center on Adoption and Permanency, and Indiana Adoption Agencies United. The bill passed 11-2.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/senate/91