AN ACT

 

1Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, in adoption, further providing <-for 
3definitions and for original 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:

<-8Section 1. The definition of "summary of original birth
9record" in section 2911 of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania
10Consolidated Statutes is amended and the section is amended by
11adding a definition to read:

12§ 2911. Definitions.

13The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
14shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
15context clearly indicates otherwise:

16* * *

1"Noncertified copy of original birth record." A summary of
2original birth record, similar in form to a certified copy of an
3original birth record and consisting of only the names and ages
4of the birth parents, the date and county of the birth of the
5child and the name of the child given at birth.

6* * *

7["Summary of original birth record." The summary of original
8birth record, consisting of only the names and ages of the birth
9parents, the date and county of the birth of the child and the
10name of the child given at birth.]

11Section 2. Section 2937 of Title 23 is amended to read:

12§ 2937. Original birth record.

13[(a) General rule.--No disclosure of information shall be
14made by a court, an agency, the Department of Health or any
15other Commonwealth agency regarding an adoptee's original birth
16record or regarding the documents or proof on which an amended
17certificate of birth is based or relating in any way to the
18birth parents unless the disclosure is made pursuant to the
19provisions of this section.

20(b) Filing of consent to issue copy of summary of original 
21birth record.--

22(1) The birth parents may, at the time their parental
23rights are terminated or at any time thereafter, place on
24file with the court and the Department of Health a consent
25form granting permission for the court or the Department of
26Health to issue a copy of the summary of the adoptee's
27original birth record, which summary discloses the identity
28of the birth parents, at any time after the adoptee turns 18
29years of age or, if less than 18 years of age, to the
30adoptive parent or legal guardian.

1(2) If only one birth parent has filed a consent, a copy
2of the summary of the original birth record naming only the
3consenting birth parent shall be issued.

4(3) The consent of a birth parent may be withdrawn at
5any time by filing a withdrawal of consent form with the
6court and the Department of Health.

7(c) Duty of Department of Health.--The Department of Health
8shall prescribe by regulation the procedure and forms to be
9utilized for the giving, updating and withdrawal of consent.]

10(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
11law, an adoptee who is 19 years of age or older may apply to the
12Department of Health for a <-copy of the summary noncertified copy
13of the adoptee's original birth record. The Department of Health
14shall issue a <-copy of the summary noncertified copy of the
15adoptee's original birth record within 45 days of receipt of an
16application, if the application complies with the requirements
17of subsection (b).

18(b) Application.--An application under this section shall be
19in a form acceptable to the Department of Health and shall
20include the following information:

21(1) The adoptee's current name and name assumed at the
22time of adoption.

23(2) The adoptee's address.

24(3) The adoptee's age and date of birth.

25(4) The adoptee's gender at birth.

26(5) Proof of identification.

27(6) The adoptee's telephone number.

28(7) Any other information required by the Department of
29Health, but only to the extent the information is necessary
30for the Department of Health to verify the identity of the

1applicant, locate the relevant records or provide a <-copy of
2the summary <-noncertified copy of the adoptee's original birth
3record to the adoptee.

4(c) Application procedures.--The Department of Health shall
5develop policies and procedures necessary to comply with this
6section within 180 days of the effective date of this
7subsection.

8(d) Fee.--The Department of Health may charge a fee for
9issuing a <-copy of the summary noncertified copy of an adoptee's
10original birth record as required by this section. The fee
11charged shall not exceed the fee for a certified copy of an
12original birth record provided in section 609-A of the act of
13April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative
14Code of 1929.

15Section <-2 3. This act shall take effect as follows:

16(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), the amendment
17of 23 Pa.C.S. § 2937 shall take effect in <-60 180 days.

18(2) The addition of 23 Pa.C.S. § 2937(c) shall take
19effect immediately.

20(3) The remainder of this act shall take effect
21immediately.