HB1407 Summary

• Allows natural parents to place, change, or remove a contact preference in sealed adoption records at any time before or after the adoption petition is finalized.

• Defines "contact preference" as a notarized written statement indicating whether a natural parent accepts or declines personal contact with the adopted individual upon reaching age 18, with current contact information included if accepting.

• Requires the family court to provide adopted individuals with a copy of any natural parent's contact preference when an inspection request is submitted.

• Suspends the effect of previously-filed confidentiality affidavits when a natural parent places a contact preference accepting personal contact, with confidentiality reinstated if the parent later declines contact.

• Redefines "natural parent" to mean a biological mother or father only, removing the reference to legal non-biological parents.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.