HB 821 Summary

• Allows adoptees at least 18 years old (or their descendants if deceased) to apply to the Department of Health for a noncertified copy of their original birth certificate within 90 days of application.

• Requires the Department of Health to develop and provide birth parents with a contact preference form allowing them to indicate whether they wish to be contacted by adoptees, prefer intermediary contact only, or do not wish to be contacted.

• Requires the Department of Health to provide birth parents with a medical history form that can be submitted with the contact preference form, with a disclaimer that information may not be protected under HIPAA.

• Authorizes the Department of Health to charge a fee for issuing noncertified copies of original birth certificates, not to exceed the fee for certified copies.

• Department must develop policies and procedures to implement these provisions by February 1, 2019; act takes effect July 1, 2018.