Iowa House Bill HF268

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/23
• Refer: 2/13/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the addition of biological parent information of an adult adopted person through amendment of an original certificate of birth, and providing fees.(Formerly HF 60; See HF 720.)

Impact

The implementation of HF268 could have significant implications for state laws regarding the recording of vital statistics, particularly concerning adopted individuals. By facilitating the amendment of birth certificates, the bill aims to enhance the rights of adopted persons to access information about their biological parentage. This aligns with growing sentiments about the importance of transparency and seeking one's roots in adopted individuals, reflecting a societal shift towards openness in adoption-related matters.

Summary

House File 268 (HF268) addresses the process by which adult adopted individuals in Iowa can amend their original birth certificates to include omitted biological parent information. The bill explicitly allows an adopted person, who is at least 18 years old and whose original birth certificate has been replaced by a new one due to adoption, to apply for amendments. This amendment would permit the addition of the biological parent's name that was originally left out of the birth certificate.

Contention

Notably, the bill requires that a sworn affidavit and substantiating evidence must be provided to prove the biological relationship when amending the birth certificate. This requirement, while intended to protect against fraudulent claims, could raise concerns over privacy rights for biological parents who may or may not want their information disclosed. Conversations around the bill highlight a tension between the rights of adopted persons seeking information and the privacy of biological parents, potentially leading to public debates about the ethical implications of such amendments.