Bill Text: GA HB65 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Adoption records; medical information open to certain persons; clarify

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-14 - House Withdrawn, Recommitted [HB65 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB65-Introduced.html

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11 LC 25 5756

House Bill 65

By: Representative McCall of the 30th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 19-8-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to where records of adoption are kept, examination of adoption records by parties and attorneys, and use of information by agency and department, so as to clarify that nonidentifying medical information contained in adoption records shall be open to certain persons for purposes of providing medical treatment and diagnoses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 19-8-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to where records of adoption are kept, examination of adoption records by parties and attorneys, and use of information by agency and department, is amended by revising subsection (d) as follows:

"(d)(1) Upon the request of a party at interest in the adoption, a child or sibling of an adopted person, or of a provider of medical services to such a party, child, or sibling when certain information is necessary because of would assist in the provision of medical care, a medical emergency, or for medical diagnosis or treatment, the department or child-placing agency may, in its sole discretion, shall access its own records on finalized adoptions for the purpose of adding subsequently obtained medical information or releasing nonidentifying medical and health history information contained in its records on such pertaining to an adopted persons person or the biological parents or relative of the biological parents of the adopted person.

(2) Upon receipt by the Office of Adoptions of the department or by a child-placing agency of documented medical information relevant to an adoptee, the office or child-placing agency shall use reasonable efforts to contact the adoptive parents of the adoptee or the adoptee if he or she is 18 years of age or older and provide such documented medical information to the adoptive parents or the adoptee. The office or child-placing agency shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable costs for postage and photocopying incurred in the delivery of such documented medical information to the adoptive parents or adoptee."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.