Second Substitute H.B. 256

Representative Jim Nielson proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
ADOPTION RECORDS ACCESS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Jim Nielson

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Todd Weiler

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act, by amending
             10      provisions relating to disclosing information in an adoption record and by requiring the
             11      Office of Vital Records and Statistics to establish a fee relating to requesting adoption
             12      information.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    establishes procedures and requirements for the Office of Vital Records and
             17      Statistics (the office) to make the original birth certificate, for an adoption finalized
             18      before March 22, 1941, available for inspection;
             19          .    provides that copies of adoption documents, relating to an adoption finalized on or
             20      after January 1, 2015, shall be made available for inspection:
             21              .    by an adult party to the adoption proceeding, unless the birth mother specifies
             22      otherwise; or
             23              .    as otherwise provided in Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act;
             24          .    provides that a birth mother may elect to make additional information, including an
             25      updated medical history, available for inspection by a party to the adoption


             26      proceeding;
             27          .    provides for the establishment of fees relating to use of a mutual-consent, voluntary
             28      adoption registry (the registry) and other requests for adoption records;
             29          .    provides for the release of information from the registry if the birth parent dies;
             30          .    provides for funding, automating, improving, and advertising the services described
             31      in this bill;
             32          .    requires the office to establish a fee relating to requesting adoption information and
             33      describes the funding and use of the fee; and
             34          .    makes technical changes.
             35      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             36          This bill appropriates:
             37          .    to the Department of Health - Adoption Records Access:
             38              .    from the General Fund, $50,000, subject to intent language that the
             39      appropriation shall be used for the purposes described in Subsection
             40      78B-6-144.5 (2); and
             41              .    from Dedicated Credits Revenue, $26,200, subject to intent language that the
             42      appropriation shall be used for the purposes described in Subsection
             43      78B-6-144.5 (2).
             44      Other Special Clauses:
             45          None
             46      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             47      AMENDS:
             48           26-2-10 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             49           26-2-15 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             50           26-2-22 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 391
             51           63J-1-602.5 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 208, 303, and 342
             52           78B-6-103 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 340
             53           78B-6-115 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 340
             54           78B-6-116 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             55           78B-6-141 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 340
             56           78B-6-144 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 340


             57      ENACTS:
             58           78B-6-144.5 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             59     
             60      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             61          Section 1. Section 26-2-10 is amended to read:
             62           26-2-10. Supplementary certificate of birth.
             63          (1) Any person born in this state who is legitimized by the subsequent marriage of [his]
             64      the person's natural parents, or whose parentage has been determined by any U.S. state court or
             65      Canadian provincial court having jurisdiction, or who has been legally adopted under the law
             66      of this or any other state or any province of Canada, may request the state registrar to register a
             67      supplementary certificate of birth on the basis of that status.
             68          (2) The application for registration of a supplementary certificate may be made by the
             69      person requesting registration, if [he] the person is of legal age, by a legal representative, or by
             70      any agency authorized to receive children for placement or adoption under the laws of this or
             71      any other state.
             72          (3) (a) The state registrar shall require that an applicant submit identification and proof
             73      according to department rules.
             74          (b) In the case of an adopted person, that proof may be established by order of the court
             75      in which the adoption proceedings were held.
             76          (4) (a) After the supplementary certificate is registered, any information disclosed from
             77      the record shall be from the supplementary certificate.
             78          (b) Access to the original certificate and to the evidence submitted in support of the
             79      supplementary certificate are not open to inspection except [upon the order of a Utah district
             80      court or] as provided under Section 78B-6-141 or 78B-6-144 .
             81          Section 2. Section 26-2-15 is amended to read:
             82           26-2-15. Petition for establishment of unregistered birth or death -- Court
             83      procedure.
             84          (1) A person holding a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest as described in
             85      Subsection 26-2-22 [(2)](4)(a) or (b) may petition for a court order establishing the fact, time,
             86      and place of a birth or death that is not registered or for which a certified copy of the registered
             87      birth or death certificate is not obtainable. The person shall verify the petition and file it in the


             88      Utah district court for the county where:
             89          (a) the birth or death is alleged to have occurred;
             90          (b) the person resides whose birth is to be established; or
             91          (c) the decedent named in the petition resided at the date of death.
             92          (2) In order for the court to have jurisdiction, the petition shall:
             93          (a) allege the date, time, and place of the birth or death; and
             94          (b) state either that no certificate of birth or death has been registered or that a copy of
             95      the registered certificate cannot be obtained.
             96          (3) The court shall set a hearing for five to 10 days after the filing of the petition.
             97          (4) (a) If the time and place of birth or death are in question, the court shall hear
             98      available evidence and determine the time and place of the birth or death.
             99          (b) If the time and place of birth or death are not in question, the court shall determine
             100      the time and place of birth or death to be those alleged in the petition.
             101          (5) A court order under this section shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished
             102      by the department and is effective upon the filing of a certified copy of the order with the state
             103      registrar.
             104          (6) (a) For purposes of this section, the birth certificate of an adopted alien child, as
             105      defined in Section 78B-6-108 , is considered to be unobtainable if the child was born in a
             106      country that is not recognized by department rule as having an established vital records
             107      registration system.
             108          (b) If the adopted child was born in a country recognized by department rule, but a
             109      person described in Subsection (1) is unable to obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate,
             110      the state registrar shall authorize the preparation of a birth certificate if he receives a written
             111      statement signed by the registrar of the child's birth country stating a certified copy of the birth
             112      certificate is not available.
             113          Section 3. Section 26-2-22 is amended to read:
             114           26-2-22. Inspection of vital records.
             115          (1) (a) The vital records shall be open to inspection, but only in compliance with the
             116      provisions of this chapter, department rules, and [Section] Sections 78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 .
             117          (b) It is unlawful for any state or local officer or employee to disclose data contained in
             118      vital records contrary to this chapter [or], department rule, or Section 78B-6-141 or 78-6-144 .


             119          [(c)] (2) A custodian of vital records may permit inspection of a vital record or issue a
             120      certified copy of a record or a part of a record when the custodian is satisfied that the applicant
             121      has demonstrated a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest.
             122          (3) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (3), "adoption documents" is as defined in
             123      Section 78B-6-103 .
             124          (b) Only the Office of Vital Records and Statistics or a Utah district court may issue
             125      adoption documents.
             126          (c) The Office of Vital Records and Statistics shall issue adoption documents pursuant
             127      to Sections 78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 , and to this section, to the extent that this section does
             128      not conflict with Sections 78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 .
             129          (d) A parent, or an immediate family member of a parent, who does not have legal or
             130      physical custody of or visitation or parent-time rights for a child because of the termination of
             131      parental rights to the child pursuant to Title 78A, Chapter 6, Juvenile Court Act, may not
             132      obtain adoption documents.
             133          (e) The Office of Vital Records and Statistics shall make rules in accordance with Title
             134      63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, related to the content of any forms and
             135      the procedures required by Subsections 78B-6-141 (1) through (4), and Sections 78B-6-144 and
             136      78B-6-144.5 .
             137          [(2)] (4) A direct, tangible, and legitimate interest in a vital record is present only if:
             138          (a) the request is from:
             139          (i) the subject;
             140          (ii) a member of the subject's immediate family;
             141          (iii) the guardian of the subject;
             142          (iv) a designated legal representative of the subject; or
             143          (v) a person, including a child-placing agency as defined in Section 78B-6-103 , with
             144      whom a child has been placed pending finalization of an adoption of the child;
             145          (b) the request involves a personal or property right of the subject of the record;
             146          (c) the request is for official purposes of a public health authority or a state, local, or
             147      federal governmental agency;
             148          (d) the request is for a statistical or medical research program and prior consent has
             149      been obtained from the state registrar; or


             150          (e) the request is a certified copy of an order of a court of record specifying the record
             151      to be examined or copied.
             152          [(3)] (5) For purposes of Subsection [(2)] (4):
             153          (a) "immediate family member" means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or
             154      grandchild;
             155          (b) a designated legal representative means an attorney, physician, funeral service
             156      director, genealogist, or other agent of the subject or the subject's immediate family who has
             157      been delegated the authority to access vital records; and
             158          [(c) except as provided in Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act, a parent, or
             159      the immediate family member of a parent, who does not have legal or physical custody of or
             160      visitation or parent-time rights for a child because of the termination of parental rights pursuant
             161      to Title 78A, Chapter 6, Juvenile Court Act of 1996, or by virtue of consenting to or
             162      relinquishing a child for adoption pursuant to Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 1, Utah Adoption Act,
             163      may not be considered as having a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest; and]
             164          [(d)] (c) a commercial firm or agency requesting names, addresses, or similar
             165      information may not be considered as having a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest.
             166          [(4)] (6) Upon payment of a fee established in accordance with Section 63J-1-504 , the
             167      office shall make the following records [shall be] available to the public:
             168          (a) except as provided in Subsection 26-2-10 (4)(b), a birth record, excluding
             169      confidential information collected for medical and health use, if 100 years or more have passed
             170      since the date of birth;
             171          (b) a death record if 50 years or more have passed since the date of death; and
             172          (c) a vital record not subject to [Subsection (4)(a) or (b)] Subsection (6)(a) or (b) if 75
             173      years or more have passed since the date of the event upon which the record is based.
             174          (7) Upon payment of a fee established in accordance with Section 63J-1-504 , the office
             175      shall make adoption documents available as provided in Sections 78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 .
             176          Section 4. Section 63J-1-602.5 is amended to read:
             177           63J-1-602.5. List of nonlapsing funds and accounts -- Title 64 and thereafter.
             178          (1) Funds collected by the housing of state probationary inmates or state parole
             179      inmates, as provided in Subsection 64-13e-104 (2).
             180          (2) Certain forestry and fire control funds utilized by the Division of Forestry, Fire, and


             181      State Lands, as provided in Section 65A-8-103 .
             182          (3) The Department of Human Resource Management user training program, as
             183      provided in Section 67-19-6 .
             184          (4) Funds for the University of Utah Poison Control Center program, as provided in
             185      Section 69-2-5.5 .
             186          (5) The Traffic Noise Abatement Program created in Section 72-6-112 .
             187          (6) Certain funds received by the Office of the State Engineer for well drilling fines or
             188      bonds, as provided in Section 73-3-25 .
             189          (7) Certain money appropriated from the Water Resources Conservation and
             190      Development Fund, as provided in Section 73-23-2 .
             191          (8) Certain funds appropriated for compensation for special prosecutors, as provided in
             192      Section 77-10a-19 .
             193          (9) Funds donated or paid to a juvenile court by private sources, as provided in
             194      Subsection 78A-6-203 (1)(c).
             195          (10) A state rehabilitative employment program, as provided in Section 78A-6-210 .
             196          (11) Fees for certificate of admission created under Section 78A-9-102 .
             197          (12) The money for the Utah Geological Survey, as provided in Section 79-3-401 .
             198          (13) Revenue for golf user fees at the Wasatch Mountain State Park, Palisades State
             199      Park, Jordan River State Park, and Green River State Park, as provided under Section
             200      79-4-403 .
             201          (14) Certain funds received by the Division of Parks and Recreation from the sale or
             202      disposal of buffalo, as provided under Section 79-4-1001 .
             203          (15) The Bonneville Shoreline Trail Program created under Section 79-5-503 .
             204          (16) Funds appropriated and collected for adoption records access as provided in
             205      Sections 78B-6-141 , 78B-6-144 , and 78B-6-144.5 .
             206          Section 5. Section 78B-6-103 is amended to read:
             207           78B-6-103. Definitions.
             208          As used in this part:
             209          (1) "Adoptee" means a person who:
             210          (a) is the subject of an adoption proceeding; or
             211          (b) has been legally adopted.


             212          (2) "Adoption" means the judicial act that:
             213          (a) creates the relationship of parent and child where it did not previously exist; and
             214          (b) except as provided in Subsection 78B-6-138 (2), terminates the parental rights of
             215      any other person with respect to the child.
             216          (3) "Adoption documents" means adoption-related documents filed with a Utah district
             217      court or with the office, including a petition for adoption, the written report described in
             218      Section 78B-6-135 , any other documents filed in connection with the petition, and a decree of
             219      adoption.
             220          [(3)] (4) "Adoption service provider" means a:
             221          (a) child-placing agency; or
             222          (b) licensed counselor who has at least one year of experience providing professional
             223      social work services to:
             224          (i) adoptive parents;
             225          (ii) prospective adoptive parents; or
             226          (iii) birth parents.
             227          [(4)] (5) "Adoptive parent" means a person who has legally adopted an adoptee.
             228          [(5)] (6) "Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older.
             229          [(6)] (7) "Adult adoptee" means an adoptee who is 18 years of age or older and was
             230      adopted as a minor.
             231          [(7)] (8) "Adult sibling" means a brother or sister of the adoptee, who is 18 years of age
             232      or older and whose birth mother or father is the same as that of the adoptee.
             233          [(8)] (9) "Birth mother" means the biological mother of a child.
             234          [(9)] (10) "Birth parent" means:
             235          (a) a birth mother;
             236          (b) a man whose paternity of a child is established;
             237          (c) a man who:
             238          (i) has been identified as the father of a child by the child's birth mother; and
             239          (ii) has not denied paternity; or
             240          (d) an unmarried biological father.
             241          [(10)] (11) "Child-placing agency" means an agency licensed to place children for
             242      adoption under Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 6, Child Placing.


             243          [(11)] (12) "Cohabiting" means residing with another person and being involved in a
             244      sexual relationship with that person.
             245          [(12)] (13) "Division" means the Division of Child and Family Services, within the
             246      Department of Human Services, created in Section 62A-4a-103 .
             247          [(13)] (14) "Extra-jurisdictional child-placing agency" means an agency licensed to
             248      place children for adoption by a district, territory, or state of the United States, other than Utah.
             249          [(14)] (15) "Genetic and social history" means a comprehensive report, when
             250      obtainable, on an adoptee's birth parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, which contains the
             251      following information:
             252          (a) medical history;
             253          (b) health status;
             254          (c) cause of and age at death;
             255          (d) height, weight, and eye and hair color;
             256          (e) ethnic origins;
             257          (f) where appropriate, levels of education and professional achievement; and
             258          (g) religion, if any.
             259          [(15)] (16) "Health history" means a comprehensive report of the adoptee's health
             260      status at the time of placement for adoption, and medical history, including neonatal,
             261      psychological, physiological, and medical care history.
             262          [(16)] (17) "Identifying information" means the name and address of a pre-existing
             263      parent or adult adoptee, or other specific information which by itself or in reasonable
             264      conjunction with other information may be used to identify that person.
             265          [(17)] (18) "Licensed counselor" means a person who is licensed by the state, or
             266      another state, district, or territory of the United States as a:
             267          (a) certified social worker;
             268          (b) clinical social worker;
             269          (c) psychologist;
             270          (d) marriage and family therapist;
             271          (e) professional counselor; or
             272          (f) an equivalent licensed professional of another state, district, or territory of the
             273      United States.


             274          [(18)] (19) "Man" means a male individual, regardless of age.
             275          (20) "Mature adoptee" means an adoptee who is adopted when the adoptee is an adult.
             276          [(19)] (21) "Office" means the Office of Vital Records and Statistics within the
             277      Department of Health operating under Title 26, Chapter 2, Utah Vital Statistics Act.
             278          [(20)] (22) "Parent," for purposes of Section 78B-6-119 , means any person described in
             279      Subsections 78B-6-120 (1)(b) through (f) from whom consent for adoption or relinquishment
             280      for adoption is required under Sections 78B-6-120 through 78B-6-122 .
             281          [(21)] (23) "Potential birth father" means a man who:
             282          (a) is identified by a birth mother as a potential biological father of the birth mother's
             283      child, but whose genetic paternity has not been established; and
             284          (b) was not married to the biological mother of the child described in Subsection [(21)]
             285      (23)(a) at the time of the child's conception or birth.
             286          [(22)] (24) "Pre-existing parent" means:
             287          (a) a birth parent; or
             288          (b) a person who, before an adoption decree is entered, is, due to an earlier adoption
             289      decree, legally the parent of the child being adopted.
             290          [(23)] (25) "Prospective adoptive parent" means a person who seeks to adopt an
             291      adoptee.
             292          [(24)] (26) "Unmarried biological father" means a person who:
             293          (a) is the biological father of a child; and
             294          (b) was not married to the biological mother of the child described in Subsection [(24)]
             295      (26)(a) at the time of the child's conception or birth.
             296          Section 6. Section 78B-6-115 is amended to read:
             297           78B-6-115. Who may adopt -- Adoption of minor -- Adoption of adult.
             298          (1) For purposes of this section, "vulnerable adult" means:
             299          (a) a person 65 years of age or older; or
             300          (b) an adult, 18 years of age or older, who has a mental or physical impairment which
             301      substantially affects that person's ability to:
             302          (i) provide personal protection;
             303          (ii) provide necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical or other health care;
             304          (iii) obtain services necessary for health, safety, or welfare;


             305          (iv) carry out the activities of daily living;
             306          (v) manage the adult's own resources; or
             307          (vi) comprehend the nature and consequences of remaining in a situation of abuse,
             308      neglect, or exploitation.
             309          (2) Subject to this section and Section 78B-6-117 , any adult may be adopted by another
             310      adult.
             311          (3) The following provisions of this part apply to the adoption of an adult just as
             312      though the person being adopted were a minor:
             313          (a) (i) Section 78B-6-108 ;
             314          (ii) Section 78B-6-114 ;
             315          (iii) Section 78B-6-116 ;
             316          (iv) Section 78B-6-118 ;
             317          (v) Section 78B-6-124 ;
             318          (vi) Section 78B-6-136 ;
             319          (vii) Section 78B-6-137 ;
             320          (viii) Section 78B-6-138 ;
             321          (ix) Section 78B-6-139 ;
             322          (x) Section 78B-6-141 ; and
             323          (xi) Section 78B-6-142 ;
             324          (b) Subsections 78B-6-105 (1)(a), (1)(b)(i), (1)(b)(ii), (2), and (7), except that the
             325      juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption of an adult, unless the
             326      adoption arises from a case where the juvenile court has continuing jurisdiction over the [adult]
             327      mature adoptee; and
             328          (c) if the [adult] mature adoptee is a vulnerable adult, Sections 78B-6-128 through
             329      78B-6-131 , regardless of whether the [adult] mature adoptee resides, or will reside, with the
             330      adoptors, unless the court, based on a finding of good cause, waives the requirements of those
             331      sections.
             332          (4) Before a court enters a final decree of adoption of an adult, the mature adoptee and
             333      the prospective adoptive parent or parents shall appear before the court presiding over the
             334      adoption proceedings and execute consent to the adoption.
             335          (5) No provision of this part, other than those listed or described in this section or


             336      Section 78B-6-117 , [apply] applies to the adoption of an adult.
             337          Section 7. Section 78B-6-116 is amended to read:
             338           78B-6-116. Notice and consent for adoption of adult.
             339          (1) (a) Consent to the adoption of an adult is required from:
             340          (i) the [adult] mature adoptee;
             341          (ii) any person who is adopting the adult;
             342          (iii) the spouse of a person adopting the adult; and
             343          (iv) any legally appointed guardian or custodian of the [adult] mature adoptee.
             344          (b) No person, other than a person described in Subsection (1)(a), may consent, or
             345      withhold consent, to the adoption of an adult.
             346          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), notice of a proceeding for the adoption
             347      of an adult shall be served on each person described in Subsection (1)(a) and the spouse of the
             348      mature adoptee.
             349          (b) The notice described in Subsection (2)(a) may be waived, in writing, by the person
             350      entitled to receive notice.
             351          (3) The notice described in Subsection (2):
             352          (a) shall be served at least 30 days before the day on which the adoption is finalized;
             353          (b) shall specifically state that the person served must respond to the petition within 30
             354      days of service if the person intends to intervene in the adoption proceeding;
             355          (c) shall state the name of the person to be adopted;
             356          (d) may not state the name of a person adopting the mature adoptee, unless the person
             357      consents, in writing, to disclosure of the person's name;
             358          (e) with regard to a person described in Subsection (1)(a):
             359          (i) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), shall be in accordance with the provisions
             360      of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
             361          (ii) may not be made by publication; and
             362          (f) with regard to the spouse of the mature adoptee, may be made:
             363          (i) in accordance with the provisions of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure;
             364          (ii) by certified mail, return receipt requested; or
             365          (iii) by publication, posting, or other means if:
             366          (A) the service described in Subsection (3)(f)(ii) cannot be completed after two


             367      attempts; and
             368          (B) the court issues an order providing for service by publication, posting, or other
             369      means.
             370          (4) Proof of service of the notice on each person to whom notice is required by this
             371      section shall be filed with the court before the adoption is finalized.
             372          (5) (a) Any person who is served with notice of a proceeding for the adoption of an
             373      adult and who wishes to intervene in the adoption shall file a motion in the adoption
             374      proceeding:
             375          (i) within 30 days after the day on which the person is served with notice of the
             376      adoption proceeding;
             377          (ii) that sets forth the specific relief sought; and
             378          (iii) that is accompanied by a memorandum specifying the factual and legal grounds
             379      upon which the motion is made.
             380          (b) A person who fails to file the motion described in Subsection (5)(a) within the time
             381      described in Subsection (5)(a)(i):
             382          (i) waives any right to further notice of the adoption proceeding; and
             383          (ii) is barred from intervening in, or bringing or maintaining any action challenging, the
             384      adoption proceeding.
             385          (6) Except as provided in Subsection (7), after a court enters a final decree of adoption
             386      of an adult, the mature adult adoptee shall:
             387          (a) serve notice of the finalization of the adoption, pursuant to the Utah Rules of Civil
             388      Procedure, on each person who was a legal parent of the adult adoptee before the final decree
             389      of adoption described in this Subsection (6) was entered; and
             390          (b) file with the court proof of service of the notice described in Subsection (6)(a).
             391          (7) A court may, based on a finding of good cause, waive the notification requirement
             392      described in Subsection (6).
             393          Section 8. Section 78B-6-141 is amended to read:
             394           78B-6-141. Petition, report, and documents sealed -- Exceptions.
             395          [(1) A petition for adoption, the written report described in Section 78B-6-135 , and any
             396      other documents filed in connection with the petition are sealed.]
             397          (1) For an adoption finalized before March 22, 1941, the office shall make the


             398      information on the birth certificate, if any exists, available to an adoptee or an adoptee's
             399      designated legal representative, for inspection and copying pursuant to Subsections 26-2-22 (1),
             400      (3), and (6).
             401          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), for an adoption finalized on or after March
             402      22, 1941, the adoption documents are sealed, and the office may make the adoption documents
             403      available for inspection and copying only in accordance with Subsection (4) or Section
             404      78B-6-144 .
             405          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), for an adoption finalized on or after
             406      January 1, 2015, the office shall make the adoption documents available for inspection and
             407      copying to a party to the adoption proceeding if the party who requests the documents:
             408          (i) is an adult at the time of the request; and
             409          (ii) makes the request on a form designated by the office.
             410          (b) Subject to Subsections (3)(d) and (e), for an adoption finalized on or after January
             411      1, 2015, a birth mother may, at or after the time of finalization, file a written document with the
             412      office stating that she refuses to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be
             413      made available for inspection or copying.
             414          (c) Subject to Subsections (3)(d) and (e), if a birth mother elects, under Subsection
             415      (3)(b), to refuse to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be made available
             416      for inspection or copying, the office shall, before providing copies of the adoption documents
             417      to an individual other than the birth mother, redact all identifying information about the birth
             418      mother.
             419          (d) Subject to Subsection (3)(e), a birth mother may, at any time, file a written
             420      document with the office to:
             421          (i) change the election described in Subsection (3)(b); or
             422          (ii) elect to make other information about herself, including an updated medical
             423      history, available for inspection and copying by a party to the adoption proceeding if the party
             424      who requests the information is an adult at the time of the request.
             425          (e) (i) If the birth mother is a minor at the time of finalization, only the birth mother's
             426      parent or legal guardian may consent to and sign the birth mother's written refusal under
             427      Subsection (3)(b).
             428          (ii) If the birth mother is a minor at the time she decides to change the election or make


             429      other information about herself available under Subsection (3)(d), only the birth mother's
             430      parent or legal guardian may consent to and sign the birth mother's written election under
             431      Subsection (3)(d).
             432          [(2) The] (4) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the adoption documents
             433      [described in Subsection (1)] may only be open to inspection and copying as follows:
             434          (a) in accordance with Subsection [(3)] (5)(a), by a party to the adoption proceeding:
             435          (i) while the proceeding is pending; or
             436          (ii) within six months after the day on which the adoption decree is entered;
             437          (b) subject to Subsection [(3)] (5)(b), a court enters an order permitting access to the
             438      documents by a person who has appealed the denial of that person's motion to intervene;
             439          (c) upon order of the court expressly permitting inspection or copying, after good cause
             440      has been shown;
             441          (d) as provided under Section 78B-6-144 ;
             442          (e) those records shall become public on the one hundredth anniversary of the date the
             443      final decree of adoption was entered; or
             444          (f) if the adoptee is an adult at the time the final decree of adoption is entered, the
             445      adoption documents [described in this section] are open to inspection and copying without a
             446      court order by the mature adoptee or a parent who adopted the mature adoptee, unless the final
             447      decree of adoption is entered by the juvenile court under Subsection 78B-6-115 (3)(b).
             448          [(3)] (5) (a) A person who files a motion to intervene in an adoption proceeding:
             449          (i) is not a party to the adoption proceeding, unless the motion to intervene is granted;
             450      and
             451          (ii) may not be granted access to the adoption documents [described in Subsection (1)],
             452      unless the motion to intervene is granted.
             453          (b) An order described in Subsection [(2)] (4)(b) shall:
             454          (i) prohibit the person described in Subsection [(2)] (4)(b) from inspecting [a document
             455      described in Subsection (1) that contains] the adoption documents that contain identifying
             456      information [of] regarding the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent; and
             457          (ii) permit the person described in Subsection [(3)] (4)(b)[(i)] to review a copy of [a
             458      document described in Subsection (3)(b)(i)] the adoption documents after the identifying
             459      information [described in Subsection (3)(b)(i)] is redacted from the [document] documents.


             460          Section 9. Section 78B-6-144 is amended to read:
             461           78B-6-144. Mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry -- Procedures -- Fees.
             462          (1) The office shall establish a mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry.
             463          (a) [Adult adoptees and birth parents of adult adoptees] An adult adoptee or a birth
             464      parent of an adult adoptee, upon presentation of positive identification, may request identifying
             465      information from the office, in the form established by the office. A court of competent
             466      jurisdiction or a child-placing agency may accept that request from the adult adoptee or birth
             467      parent, in the form provided by the office, and transfer that request to the office. The adult
             468      adoptee or birth parent is responsible for notifying the office of any change in information
             469      contained in the request.
             470          (b) [The] Except as otherwise provided in this part, the office may only release
             471      identifying information to an adult adoptee or birth parent when it receives requests from both
             472      the adoptee and the adoptee's birth parent.
             473          (c) After matching the request of an adult adoptee with that of at least one of the
             474      adoptee's birth parents, the office shall notify both the adult adoptee and the birth parent that
             475      the requests have been matched, and disclose the identifying information to those parties.
             476      However, if that adult adoptee has a sibling of the same birth parent who is under the age of 18
             477      years, and who was raised in the same family setting as the adult adoptee, the office [shall] may
             478      not disclose the requested identifying information to that adult adoptee or the adoptee's birth
             479      parent.
             480          (2) (a) Adult adoptees and adult siblings of adult adoptees, upon presentation of
             481      positive identification, may request identifying information from the office, in the form
             482      established by the office. A court of competent jurisdiction or a child-placing agency may
             483      accept that request from the adult adoptee or adult sibling, in the form provided by the office,
             484      and transfer that request to the office. The adult adoptee or adult sibling is responsible for
             485      notifying the office of any change in information contained in the request.
             486          (b) The office may only release identifying information to an adult adoptee or adult
             487      sibling when it receives requests from both the adult adoptee and the adult adoptee's adult
             488      sibling.
             489          (c) After matching the request of an adult adoptee with that of the adoptee's adult
             490      sibling, if the office [has been provided with] determines that the office has sufficient


             491      information to make that match, the office shall notify both the adult adoptee and the adult
             492      sibling that the requests have been matched, and disclose the identifying information to those
             493      parties.
             494          (d) After receiving a request for information from an adult adoptee under this section,
             495      the office shall:
             496          (i) search the office's vital records for the adult adoptee's birth parent; and
             497          (ii) if the search described in Subsection (2)(d)(i) reveals that an adult adoptee's birth
             498      parent is dead, inform the adult adoptee that the birth parent is dead and disclose the identity of
             499      the birth parent.
             500          (e) The office shall attempt to notify an individual who requests information under this
             501      section:
             502          (i) of the results of the initial search for a match; and
             503          (ii) if the initial search does not produce a match, that the office will keep the request
             504      on file and will attempt to notify the individual in the event of a match.
             505          (3) Information registered with the [bureau] office under this section is available only
             506      to a registered adult adoptee and the adoptee's registered birth parent or registered adult sibling,
             507      under the terms of this section.
             508          (4) Information regarding a birth parent who has not registered a request with the
             509      [bureau] office may not be disclosed, except as provided in Section 78B-6-141 .
             510          [(5) The bureau may charge a fee for services provided under this section, limited to
             511      the cost of providing those services.]
             512          (5) The office shall, in consultation with the State Tax Commission, develop language
             513      advertising the services provided by the mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry to be
             514      included on the State Tax Commission's website.
             515          (6) The office may contract with a private or nonprofit organization to supplement the
             516      advertising described in Subsection (5).
             517          (7) The office shall, on or before October 31, make an annual report on the
             518      effectiveness of the mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry to the Health and Human
             519      Services Interim Committee.
             520          (8) Nothing in this section limits the disclosure of information in accordance with
             521      Section 78B-6-141 .


             522          Section 10. Section 78B-6-144.5 is enacted to read:
             523          78B-6-144.5. Adoption records fees.
             524          (1) (a) The office shall, in accordance with Section 63J-1-504 , establish a fee to be paid
             525      by an individual who requests information or other services under Section 78B-6-141 or
             526      78B-6-144 to cover the costs related to providing the information or services, including
             527      improvements described in Subsection (2).
             528          (b) The office may accept donations or grants from public or private entities to cover
             529      the costs related to providing the information or services, including improvements described in
             530      Subsection (2).
             531          (2) Fees and donations collected in Subsection (1) shall be deposited into the General
             532      Fund as dedicated credits and may be used only to:
             533          (a) fund, automate, and improve the provision of services described in Sections
             534      78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 ;
             535          (b) implement means of maximizing potential matches for the services described in
             536      Sections 78B-6-141 and 78B-6-144 , including the use of broad search terms and methods; and
             537          (c) advertise the services provided by the mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry
             538      pursuant to Section 78B-6-144 .
             539          Section 11. Appropriation.
             540          Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
             541      the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015, the following sums of money
             542      are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts
             543      previously appropriated, out of the funds or accounts indicated. These sums of money are in
             544      addition to any amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2015.
             545          To Department of Health, Adoption Records Access
             546              From General Fund
$50,000

             547              From Dedicated Credits Revenue
$26,200

             548              Schedule of Programs:
             549                  Adoption Records Access                $76,200
             550          The Legislature intends that appropriations provided under this section be used by the
             551      office for the purposes described in Subsection 78B-6-144.5 (2). Under Section 63J-1-603 , the
             552      Legislature intends that appropriations provided under this section not lapse at the close of


             553      fiscal year 2015. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the purposes described in
             554      Subsection 78B-6-144.5 (2).


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]