1Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, in adoption, further providing for
3original birth record.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1.  Section 2937 of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania
7Consolidated Statutes, is amended to read:

8§ 2937.  Original birth record.

9(a)  General rule.--No disclosure of information shall be
10made by a court, an agency, the Department of Health or any
11other Commonwealth agency regarding an adoptee's original birth
12record or regarding the documents or proof on which an amended
13certificate of birth is based or relating in any way to the
14birth parents unless the disclosure is made pursuant to the
15provisions of this section.

16(b)  Filing of consent to issue copy of summary of original 
17birth record.--

1(1)  The birth parents may, at the time their parental
2rights are terminated or at any time thereafter, place on
3file with the court and the Department of Health a consent
4form granting permission for the court or the Department of
5Health to issue a copy of the summary of the adoptee's
6original birth record, which summary discloses the identity
7of the birth parents, at any time after the adoptee turns 18
8years of age or, if less than 18 years of age, to the
9adoptive parent or legal guardian.

10(2)  If only one birth parent has filed a consent, a copy
11of the summary of the original birth record naming only the
12consenting birth parent shall be issued.

13(3)  The consent of a birth parent may be withdrawn at
14any time by filing a withdrawal of consent form with the
15court and the Department of Health.

16(c)  Duty of Department of Health.--The Department of Health
17shall prescribe by regulation the procedure and forms to be
18utilized for the giving, updating and withdrawal of consent.

19(d)  Exception.--Notwithstanding the provisions of this
20section, the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Department of
21Health shall disclose, at the written request of an adoptee, the
22original or amended certificate of birth of the adoptee in
23accordance with the provisions of the act of June 29, 1953
24(P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953.

25Section 2.  This act shall take effect April 25, 2014, or in
2660 days, whichever is later.