HB 5144 Summary

• Allows adopted persons age 18 and older whose adoptions were finalized on or after October 1, 1983, to receive uncertified copies of their original birth certificates without court order, along with birth parents' contact preference forms and medical health history information.

• Permits adopted persons' adult children and grandchildren to obtain uncertified copies of original birth certificates if the adoption was finalized on or after October 1, 1983.

• Establishes a contact preference form system allowing birth parents to indicate whether they wish to be contacted, contacted only through an intermediary, or not contacted at all by adopted persons or their descendants.

• Creates a process for adopted persons whose adoptions were finalized before October 1, 1983, to petition the Probate or Superior Court for access to original birth certificates, with court approval dependent on birth parent consent or death.

• Sets the fee for uncertified copies of original birth certificates at $65 and requires annual reporting to the Public Health Committee on the number of original certificates issued through 2021.