093_HB2136sam001 LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 2136 2 AMENDMENT NO. . Amend House Bill 2136 by replacing 3 everything after the enacting clause with the following: 4 "Section 5. The Adoption Act is amended by changing 5 Sections 18.2, 18.3a, and 18.4 as follows: 6 (750 ILCS 50/18.2) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.2) 7 Sec. 18.2. Forms. 8 (a) The form of the Birth Parent Registration 9 Identification Form shall be substantially as follows: 10 BIRTH PARENT REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION 11 (Insert all known information) 12 I, ....., state that I am the ...... (mother or father) of 13 the following child: 14 Child's original name: ..... (first) ..... (middle) ..... 15 (last), ..... (hour of birth), ..... (date of 16 birth), ..... (city and state of birth), ..... (name 17 of hospital). 18 Father's full name: ...... (first) ...... (middle) ..... 19 (last), ..... (date of birth), ..... (city and state 20 of birth). 21 Name of mother inserted on birth certificate: ..... 22 (first) ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race), -2- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 ..... (date of birth), ...... (city and state of 2 birth). 3 That I surrendered my child to: ............. (name of 4 agency), ..... (city and state of agency), ..... 5 (approximate date child surrendered). 6 That I placed my child by private adoption: ..... (date), 7 ...... (city and state). 8 Name of adoptive parents, if known: ...... 9 Other identifying information: ..... 10 ........................ 11 (Signature of parent) 12 ............ ........................ 13 (date) (printed name of parent) 14 (b) The form of the Adopted Person Registration 15 Identification shall be substantially as follows: 16 ADOPTED PERSON 17 REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION 18 (Insert all known information) 19 I, ....., state the following: 20 Adopted Person's present name: ..... (first) ..... 21 (middle) ..... (last). 22 Adopted Person's name at birth (if known): ..... (first) 23 ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (birth date), 24 ..... (city and state of birth), ...... (sex), ..... 25 (race). 26 Name of adoptive father: ..... (first) ..... (middle) 27 ..... (last), ..... (race). 28 Maiden name of adoptive mother: ..... (first) ..... 29 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race). 30 Name of birth mother (if known): ..... (first) ..... 31 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race). 32 Name of birth father (if known): ..... (first) ..... 33 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race). 34 Name(s) at birth of sibling(s) having a common birth -3- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 parent with adoptee (if known): ..... (first) ..... 2 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race), and name of 3 common birth parent: ..... (first) ..... (middle) 4 ..... (last), ..... (race). 5 I was adopted through: ..... (name of agency). 6 I was adopted privately: ..... (state "yes" if known). 7 I was adopted in ..... (city and state), ..... (approximate 8 date). 9 Other identifying information: ............. 10 ...................... 11 (signature of adoptee) 12 ........... ......................... 13 (date) (printed name of adoptee) 14 (c) The form of the Surrendered Person Registration 15 Identification shall be substantially as follows: 16 SURRENDERED PERSON REGISTRATION 17 IDENTIFICATION 18 (Insert all known information) 19 I, ....., state the following: 20 Surrendered Person's present name: ..... (first) ..... 21 (middle) ..... (last). 22 Surrendered Person's name at birth (if known): ..... 23 (first) ..... (middle) ..... (last), .....(birth 24 date), ..... (city and state of birth), ...... 25 (sex), ..... (race). 26 Name of guardian father: ..... (first) ..... (middle) 27 ..... (last), ..... (race). 28 Maiden name of guardian mother: ..... (first) ..... 29 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race). 30 Name of birth mother (if known): ..... (first) ..... 31 (middle) ..... (last) ..... (race). 32 Name of birth father (if known): ..... (first) ..... 33 (middle) ..... (last), .....(race). 34 Name(s) at birth of sibling(s) having a common birth -4- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 parent with surrendered person (if known): ..... 2 (first) ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race), 3 and name of common birth parent: ..... (first) ..... 4 (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race). 5 I was surrendered for adoption to: ..... (name of agency). 6 I was surrendered for adoption in ..... (city and state), 7 ..... (approximate date). 8 Other identifying information: ............ 9 ................................ 10 (signature of surrendered person) 11 ............ ...................... 12 (date) (printed name of person 13 surrendered for adoption) 14 (d) The form of the Information Exchange Authorization 15 shall be substantially as follows: 16 INFORMATION EXCHANGE AUTHORIZATION 17 I, ....., state that I am the person who completed the 18 Registration Identification; that I am of the age of ..... 19 years; that I hereby authorize the Department of Public 20 Health to give to my (birth parent) (birth sibling) 21 (surrendered child) the following (please check the 22 information authorized for exchange): 23 [ ] 1. Only my name and last known address. 24 [ ] 2. A copy of my Illinois Adoption Registry 25 Application. 26 [ ] 3. A copy of the original certificate of live 27 birth. 28 I am fully aware that I can only be supplied with any 29 information about my (birth parent) (birth sibling) 30 (surrendered child) if such person has duly executed an 31 Information Exchange Authorization for such information which 32 has not been revoked; that I can be contacted by writing to: 33 ..... (own name or name of person to contact) (address) 34 (phone number). -5- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 Dated (insert date). 2.......................... 3(witness)(signature) 4 (e) The form of the Denial of Information Exchange shall 5 be substantially as follows: 6 DENIAL OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE 7 I, ....., state that I am the person who completed the 8 Registration Identification; that I am of the age of ..... 9 years; that I hereby instruct the Department of Public Health 10 not to give any identifying information about me to my (birth 11 parent) (birth sibling) (surrendered child); that I do not 12 wish to be contacted. 13 Dated (insert date). 14............................ 15(witness)(signature) 16 (f) The Information Exchange Authorization and the 17 Denial of Information Exchange shall be acknowledged by the 18 birth parent, birth sibling, adopted or surrendered person, 19 adoptive parent, or legal guardian before a notary public, in 20 form substantially as follows: 21 State of .............. 22 County of ............. 23 I, a Notary Public, in and for the said County, in the 24 State aforesaid, do hereby certify that ............... 25 personally known to me to be the same person whose name is 26 subscribed to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement, 27 appeared before me in person and acknowledged that (he or 28 she) signed such certificate as (his or her) free and 29 voluntary act and that the statements in such certificate are 30 true. 31 Given under my hand and notarial seal on (insert date). 32 ......................... 33 (signature) -6- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 (g) When the execution of an Information Exchange 2 Authorization or a Denial of Information Exchange is 3 acknowledged before a representative of an agency, such 4 representative shall have his signature on said Certificate 5 acknowledged before a notary public, in form substantially as 6 follows: 7 State of.......... 8 County of......... 9 I, a Notary Public, in and for the said County, in the 10 State aforesaid, do hereby certify that ..... personally 11 known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to 12 the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement, appeared before 13 me in person and acknowledged that (he or she) signed such 14 certificate as (his or her) free and voluntary act and that 15 the statements in such certificate are true. 16 Given under my hand and notarial seal on (insert date). 17 ....................... 18 (signature) 19 (h) When an Illinois Adoption Registry Application, 20 Information Exchange Authorization or a Denial of Information 21 Exchange is executed in a foreign country, the execution of 22 such document shall be acknowledged or affirmed before an 23 officer of the United States consular services. 24 (i) If the person signing an Information Exchange 25 Authorization or a Denial of Information is in the military 26 service of the United States, the execution of such document 27 may be acknowledged before a commissioned officer and the 28 signature of such officer on such certificate shall be 29 verified or acknowledged before a notary public or by such 30 other procedure as is then in effect for such division or 31 branch of the armed forces. 32 (j) The Department shall modify these forms as necessary 33 to implement the provisions of this amendatory Act of 1999 34 including creating Registration Identification Forms for -7- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 non-surrendered birth siblings, adoptive parents and legal 2 guardians. 3 (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 91-417, eff. 1-1-00.) 4 (750 ILCS 50/18.3a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.3a) 5 Sec. 18.3a. Confidential intermediary. (a) General 6 purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 7 any adopted person over the age of 21, any adoptive parent or 8 legal guardian of an adopted person under the age of 21, or 9 any birth parent of an adopted person who is over the age of 10 21 may petition the court in any county in the State of 11 Illinois for appointment of a confidential intermediary as 12 provided in this Section for the purpose of exchanging 13 medical information with one or more mutually consenting 14 biological relatives, obtaining identifying information about 15 one or more mutually consenting biological relatives, or 16 arranging contact with one or more mutually consenting 17 biological relatives. Additionally, in cases where an adopted 18 or surrendered person is deceased, an adult child of the 19 adopted or surrendered person may file a petition under this 20 Section and in cases where the birth parent is deceased, an 21 adult birth sibling of the adoptee or the deceased birth 22 parent may file a petition under this Section for the purpose 23 of exchanging medical information with one or more mutually 24 consenting biological relatives, obtaining identifying 25 information about one or more mutually consenting biological 26 relatives, or arranging contact with one or more mutually 27 consenting biological relatives. 28 (b) Petition. Upon petition by an adopted person over 29 the age of 21, an adoptive parent or legal guardian of an 30 adopted person under the age of 21, or a birth parent of an 31 adopted person who is over the age of 21, the court shall 32 appoint a confidential intermediary without a hearing. Upon 33 petition by an adult child of an adopted person who is -8- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 deceased or by an adult birth sibling of an adoptee whose 2 birth parent is deceased or by an adult sibling of a birth 3 parent who is deceased, the court may appoint a confidential 4 intermediary if the court finds that the disclosure is of 5 greater benefit than nondisclosure. The petition shall state 6 which biological relative or relatives are being sought and 7 shall indicate if the petitioner wants to do any one or more 8 of the following: exchange medical information with the 9 biological relative or relatives, obtain identifying 10 information from the biological relative or relatives, or to 11 arrange contact with the biological relative. 12 (c) Fees and expenses. The court shall condition the 13 appointment of the confidential intermediary on the 14 petitioner's payment of the intermediary's fees and expenses 15 in advance of the commencement of the work of the 16 confidential intermediary. 17 (d) Eligibility of intermediary. The court may appoint 18 as confidential intermediary either an employee of the 19 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services 20 designated by the Department to serve as such, any other 21 person certified by the Department as qualified to serve as a 22 confidential intermediary, or any employee of a licensed 23 child welfare agency certified by the agency as qualified to 24 serve as a confidential intermediary. 25 (e) Access. Notwithstanding any other provision of 26 State law, the confidential intermediary shall have access to 27 all records of the court or any agency, school, or hospital, 28 public or private, which relate to the adoption or the 29 identity and location of any adopted person or his or her 30 adoptive parents, legal guardians, adult children of a 31 deceased adopted person, birth parent, birth sibling, or 32 sibling of a deceased birth parent. Confidential 33 intermediaries shall be authorized to inspect confidential 34 relinquishment, adoption, and other records. -9- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 (f) Duties of confidential intermediary in conducting a 2 search. In conducting a search under this Section, the 3 confidential intermediary shall first confirm that there is 4 no Denial of Information Exchange on file with the Illinois 5 Adoption Registry. If the petitioner is an adult child of an 6 adopted person who is deceased, the confidential intermediary 7 shall additionally confirm that the adopted person did not 8 file a Denial of Information Exchange with the Illinois 9 Adoption Registry during his or her life. If the petitioner 10 is an adult birth sibling of an adopted person or an adult 11 sibling of a birth parent who is deceased, the confidential 12 intermediary shall additionally confirm that the birth parent 13 did not file a Denial of Information Exchange with the 14 Registry during his or her life. 15 In conducting a search under this Section, the 16 confidential intermediary shall attempt to locate the 17 relative or relatives with whom the petitioner has requested. 18 If the sought-after relative is deceased or cannot be located 19 after a diligent search, the confidential intermediary may 20 contact adult biological relatives of the sought-after 21 relative. 22 The confidential intermediary shall contact a 23 sought-after relative on behalf of the petitioner in a manner 24 that respects the sought-after relative's privacy and shall 25 inform the sought-after relative of the petitioner's request 26 for medical information, identifying information or contact 27 as stated in the petition. Based upon the terms of the 28 petitioner's request, the confidential intermediary shall 29 contact a sought-after relative on behalf of the petitioner 30 and inform the sought-after relative of the following 31 options: 32 (1) The sought-after relative may totally reject one or 33 all of the requests for medical information, identifying 34 information or contact. The sought-after relative shall be -10- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 informed that they can provide a medical questionnaire to be 2 forwarded to the petitioner without releasing any identifying 3 information. The confidential intermediary shall inform the 4 petitioner of the sought-after relative's decision to reject 5 the sharing of information and contact. 6 (2) The sought-after relative may consent to completing 7 a medical questionnaire only. In this case, the confidential 8 intermediary shall provide the questionnaire and ask the 9 sought-after relative to complete it. The confidential 10 intermediary shall forward the completed questionnaire to the 11 petitioner and inform the petitioner of the sought-after 12 relative's desire to not provide any additional information. 13 (3) The sought-after relative may communicate with the 14 petitioner without having his or her identity disclosed. In 15 this case, the confidential intermediary shall arrange the 16 desired communication in a manner that protects the identity 17 of the sought-after relative. The confidential intermediary 18 shall inform the petitioner of the sought-after relative's 19 decision to communicate but not disclose his or her identity. 20 (4) The sought after relative may consent to initiate 21 contact with the petitioner. If both the petitioner and the 22 sought-after relative or relatives are eligible to register 23 with the Illinois Adoption Registry, the confidential 24 intermediary shall provide the necessary application forms 25 and request that the sought-after relative register with the 26 Illinois Adoption Registry. If either the petitioner or the 27 sought-after relative or relatives are ineligible to register 28 with the Illinois Adoption Registry, the confidential 29 intermediary shall obtain written consents from both parties 30 that they wish to disclose their identities to each other and 31 to have contact with each other. 32 (g) Oath. The confidential intermediary shall sign an 33 oath of confidentiality substantially as follows: "I, 34 .........., being duly sworn, on oath depose and say: As a -11- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 condition of appointment as a confidential intermediary, I 2 affirm that: 3 (1) I will not disclose to the petitioner, directly 4 or indirectly, any confidential information except in a 5 manner consistent with the law. 6 (2) I recognize that violation of this oath 7 subjects me to civil liability and to being found in 8 contempt of court. ................................ 9 SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, a Notary Public, on 10 (insert date) 11 ................................." 12 (h) Sanctions. Any confidential intermediary who 13 improperly discloses confidential information identifying a 14 sought-after relative shall be liable to the sought-after 15 relative for damages and may also be found in contempt of 16 court. 17 (i) Death of person being sought. Notwithstanding any 18 other provision of this Act, if the confidential intermediary 19 discovers that the person being sought has died, he or she 20 shall report this fact to the court, along with a copy of the 21 death certificate. 22 (j) Any confidential information obtained by the 23 confidential intermediary during the course of his or her 24 search shall be kept strictly confidential and shall be used 25 for the purpose of arranging contact between the petitioner 26 and the sought-after birth relative. At the time the case is 27 closed, all identifying information shall be returned to the 28 court for inclusion in the impounded adoption file. 29 (k) If the petitioner is an adopted person over the age 30 of 21 or the adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted 31 person under the age of 21, any non-identifying information, 32 as defined in Section 18.4, that is ascertained during the 33 course of the search may be given in writing to the 34 petitioner before the case is closed. -12- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 (l) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this 2 Section, no liability shall accrue to the State, any State 3 agency, any judge, any officer or employee of the court, any 4 certified confidential intermediary, or any agency designated 5 to oversee confidential intermediary services for acts, 6 omissions, or efforts made in good faith within the scope of 7 this Section. 8(a) General purposes. Notwithstanding any other9provision of this Act, any adopted person over the age of 2110or any adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted person11under the age of 21 may petition the court for appointment of12a confidential intermediary as provided in this Section for13the purpose of obtaining from one or both birth parents or a14sibling or siblings of the adopted person information15concerning the background of a psychological or16genetically-based medical problem experienced or which may be17expected to be experienced in the future by the adopted18person or obtaining assistance in treating such a problem.19(b) Petition. The court shall appoint a confidential20intermediary for the purposes described in subsection (f) if21the petitioner shows the following:22(1) the adopted person is suffering or may be23expected to suffer in the future from a life-threatening24or substantially incapacitating physical illness of any25nature, or a psychological disturbance which is26substantially incapacitating but not life-threatening, or27a mental illness which, in the opinion of a physician28licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, is or29could be genetically based to a significant degree;30(2) the treatment of the adopted person, in the31opinion of a physician licensed to practice medicine in32all of its branches, would be materially assisted by33information obtainable from the birth parents or might34benefit from the provision of organs or other bodily-13- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1tissues, materials, or fluids by the birth parents or2other close biological relatives; and3(3) there is neither an Information Exchange4Authorization nor a Denial of Information Exchange filed5in the Registry as provided in Section 18.1.6The affidavit or testimony of the treating physician7shall be conclusive on the issue of the utility of contact8with the birth parents unless the court finds that the9relationship between the illness to be treated and the10alleged need for contact is totally without foundation.11(c) Fees and expenses. The court shall condition the12appointment of the confidential intermediary on the payment13of the intermediary's fees and expenses in advance, unless14the intermediary waives the right to full advance payment or15to any reimbursement at all.16(d) Eligibility of intermediary. The court may appoint17as confidential intermediary either an employee of the18Illinois Department of Children and Family Services19designated by the Department to serve as such, any other20person certified by the Department as qualified to serve as a21confidential intermediary, or any employee of a licensed22child welfare agency certified by the agency as qualified to23serve as a confidential intermediary.24(e) Access. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,25the confidential intermediary shall have access to all26records of the court or any agency, public or private, which27relate to the adoption or the identity and location of any28birth parent.29(f) Purposes of contact. The confidential intermediary30has only the following powers and duties:31(1) To contact one or both birth parents, inform32the parent or parents of the basic medical problem of the33adopted person and the nature of the information or34assistance sought from the birth parent, and inform the-14- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1parent or parents of the following options:2(A) The birth parent may totally reject the3request for assistance or information, or both, and4no disclosure of identity or location shall be made5to the petitioner.6(B) The birth parent may file an Information7Exchange Authorization as provided in Section 18.1.8The confidential intermediary shall explain to the9birth parent the consequences of such a filing,10including that the birth parent's identity will be11available for discovery by the adopted person. If12the birth parent agrees to this option, the13confidential intermediary shall supply the parent14with the appropriate forms, shall be responsible for15their immediate filing with the Registry, and shall16inform the petitioner of their filing.17(C) If the birth parent wishes to provide the18information or assistance sought but does not wish19his or her identity disclosed, the confidential20intermediary shall arrange for the disclosure of the21information or the provision of assistance in as22confidential a manner as possible so as to protect23the privacy of the birth parent and minimize the24likelihood of disclosure of the birth parent's25identity.26(2) If a birth parent so desires, to arrange for a27confidential communication with the treating physician to28discuss the need for the requested information or29assistance.30(3) If a birth parent agrees to provide the31information or assistance sought but wishes to maintain32his or her privacy, to arrange for the provision of the33information or assistance to the physician in as34confidential a manner as possible so as to protect the-15- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1privacy of the birth parent and minimize the likelihood2of disclosure of the birth parent's identity.3(g) Oath. The confidential intermediary shall sign an4oath of confidentiality substantially as follows:5"I, .........., being duly sworn, on oath depose and6say: As a condition of appointment as a confidential7intermediary, I affirm that:8(1) I will not disclose to the petitioner, directly9or indirectly, any information about the identity or10location of the birth parent whose assistance is being11sought for medical reasons except in a manner consistent12with the law.13(2) I recognize that violation of this oath14subjects me to civil liability and to being found in15contempt of court.16................................17SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, a Notary Public,18on (insert date).19................................"20(h) Sanctions.21(1) Any confidential intermediary who improperly22discloses information identifying a birth parent shall be23liable to the birth parent for damages and may also be24found in contempt of court.25(2) Any person who learns a birth parent's26identity, directly or indirectly, through the use of27procedures provided in this Section and who improperly28discloses information identifying the birth parent shall29be liable to the birth parent for actual damages plus30minimum punitive damages of $10,000.31(i) Death of birth parent. Notwithstanding any other32provision of this Act, if the confidential intermediary33discovers that the person whose assistance is sought has34died, he or she shall report this fact to the court, along-16- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1with a copy of the death certificate.2 (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 91-417, eff. 1-1-00.) 3 (750 ILCS 50/18.4) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.4) 4 Sec. 18.4. (a) The agency, Department of Children and 5 Family Services, Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division 6 of the Circuit Court, or the Probation Officers of the 7 Circuit Court involved in the adoption proceedings shall give 8 in writing the following non-identifying information, if 9 known, to the adoptive parents not later than the date of 10 placement with the petitioning adoptive parents: (i) age of 11 biological parents; (ii) their race, religion and ethnic 12 background; (iii) general physical appearance of biological 13 parents; (iv) their education, occupation, hobbies, interests 14 and talents; (v) existence of any other children born to the 15 biological parents; (vi) information about biological 16 grandparents; reason for emigrating into the United States, 17 if applicable, and country of origin; (vii) relationship 18 between biological parents;and(viii) detailed medical and 19 mental health histories of the child, the biological parents, 20 and their immediate relatives; and (ix) the actual date and 21 place of birth of the adopted person. However, no 22 information provided under this subsection shall disclose the 23 name or last known address of the biological parents, 24 grandparents, the siblings of the biological parents, the 25 adopted person, or any other relative of the adopted person. 26 (b) Any adoptee 18 years of age or over shall be given 27 the information in subsection (a) upon request. 28 (c) The Illinois Adoption Registry shall release any 29 non-identifying information listed in (a) of this Section 30 that appears on the original birth certificate or the 31 Certificate of Adoption to an adopted person, adoptive 32 parent, or legal guardian who is a registrant of the Illinois 33 Adoption Registry. -17- LRB093 07705 LCB 14772 a 1 (d) The Illinois Adoption Registry shall release the 2 actual date and place of birth of an adopted person over the 3 age of 21 to the birth parent if the birth parent is a 4 registrant of the Illinois Adoption Registry and has 5 completed a Medical Information Exchange Authorization. 6 (e) The Illinois Adoption Registry shall release 7 information regarding the date of the adoption and the county 8 in which the adoption was finalized to a certified 9 confidential intermediary upon submission of a court order. 10 (f) In cases where the Illinois Adoption Registry 11 possesses information indicating that an adopted person over 12 the age of 21 was adopted in a state other than Illinois or a 13 country other than the United States, the Illinois Adoption 14 Registry shall release the name of the state or country where 15 the adoption was finalized and, if available, the agency 16 involved in the adoption to a registrant of the Illinois 17 Adoption Registry who has completed a Medical Information 18 Exchange Authorization. 19 (g)(c)Any of the above available information for any 20 adoption proceedings completed before the effective date of 21 this Act shall be supplied to the adoptive parents or an 22 adoptee 18 years of age or over upon request. 23 (h)(d)The agency, Department of Children and Family 24 Services, Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division of the 25 Circuit Court, the Probation Officers of the Circuit Court 26 and any other governmental bodies having any of the above 27 information shall retain the file until the adoptee would 28 have reached the age of 99 years. 29 (Source: P.A. 87-617.)".