Michigan House Bill HB4529

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/23
• Refer: 5/9/23

Caption

Records: adoption; release of adoption information; modify. Amends sec. 68, ch. X of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 710.68).

Impact

If enacted, the bill would enhance transparency in the adoption process, particularly for adult adoptees seeking to trace their biological roots or medical histories. The legislation clarifies the rights of adult adoptees to obtain identifying information about their biological parents, subject to conditions such as prior consent. Furthermore, it outlines procedures for child placing agencies and courts for managing these requests, which may foster a more streamlined and accountable system in dealing with sensitive adoption information.

Summary

House Bill 4529 aims to amend the Probate Code of 1939 by modifying the procedures for releasing nonidentifying and identifying information related to adoptions. The proposed amendments introduce specific timelines by which child placing agencies, courts, and departments must respond to requests for information from adoptive parents, adult adoptees, and former family members. For instance, upon receiving a nonidentifying information request, agencies must respond within 63 days, while identifying information requests must also be fulfilled within the same timeframe, provided consent is given by the adult adoptee.

Contention

However, the amendments also raise potential concerns about the privacy rights of biological parents, who may not want to be contacted by their adopted children. Critics of the bill might argue that these changes could put undue pressure on former parents to consent to the release of their information and could lead to complications for those who have chosen to maintain their anonymity after the adoption process.

Notable_points

The bill addresses both identifying and nonidentifying adoption information and includes provisions for cases where confidentiality must be maintained, specifying circumstances under which identifying information can be released. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of confidential intermediaries tasked with facilitating communications between adult adoptees and their biological families, thus adding a layer of support in the process.