Requires birth parents to provide medical information to the adoption medical information registry

BILL NUMBER:S5538

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the adoption medical information registry

Purpose

Provides adoptees with access to non-identifying medical information.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends Public Health Law § 4138-c(6-a) to require the Department of Health to establish procedures for all adoptions in the state by which a birth parent shall provide certified medical information to the medical information sub-registry.

Section two provides the effective date.

Justification

Providing adoptees with access to medical information is necessary to enable them to take the necessary steps , precautions and preventative health care measures to protect them from illnesses that are linked to family history and genetics. In New York, an adoptee has limited and often fruitless means to obtain this information. Only if a birth parent has chosen to provide this information, is it available on the medical information sub-registry.

By requiring this medical information be provided to the registry and that the Department establish procedures to maintain and update this information, this bill provides adoptees with access to vital health information. The information released by the Department to the adoptee will be limited to non-identifying information, unless the birth parent provides otherwise. This bill strikes a balance by providing, adoptees with necessary access meanwhile protecting a birth parent's option to remain anonymous.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as chapter 480 of the law of 2012.