State of Illinois
91st General Assembly
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Public Act 91-0417

HB0631 Enrolled                               LRB9100454SMdvE

    AN ACT regarding adoption, amending named Acts.

    Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

    Section  5.   The  State Finance Act is amended by adding
Section 5.490 as follows:

    (30 ILCS 105/5.490 new)
    Sec. 5.490.  The Illinois Adoption Registry  and  Medical
Information Exchange Fund.

    Section  7.   The  Illinois  Vehicle  Code  is amended by
changing Section 6-115 as follows:

    (625 ILCS 5/6-115) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-115)
    Sec. 6-115.  Expiration of driver's license.
    (a)  Except as provided elsewhere in this Section,  every
driver's  license  issued  under  the provisions of this Code
shall expire 4 years from the date of  its  issuance,  or  at
such later date, as the Secretary of State may by proper rule
and  regulation  designate, not to exceed 12 calendar months;
in the event that an applicant  for  renewal  of  a  driver's
license  fails  to  apply prior to the expiration date of the
previous driver's license, the renewal driver's license shall
expire 4 years from  the  expiration  date  of  the  previous
driver's  license,  or at such later date as the Secretary of
State may by proper rule and  regulation  designate,  not  to
exceed 12 calendar months.
    The  Secretary  of  State may, however, issue to a person
not previously licensed as a driver in  Illinois  a  driver's
license which will expire not less than 4 years nor more than
5  years  from date of issuance, except as provided elsewhere
in this Section.
    The Secretary of State is authorized  to  issue  driver's
licenses  during  the  years  1984  through  1987 which shall
expire not less than 3 years nor more than 5 years  from  the
date  of  issuance,  except  as  provided  elsewhere  in this
Section, for the purpose of converting all driver's  licenses
issued under this Code to a 4 year expiration.  Provided that
all  original driver's licenses, except as provided elsewhere
in this Section, shall expire not less than 4 years nor  more
than 5 years from the date of issuance.
    (b)  Before  the expiration of a driver's license, except
those licenses expiring on the individual's 21st birthday, or
3 months after the individual's  21st  birthday,  the  holder
thereof  may  apply for a renewal thereof, subject to all the
provisions of Section 6-103, and the Secretary of  State  may
require  an  examination  of  the applicant. A licensee whose
driver's license expires on his 21st birthday,  or  3  months
after  his  21st birthday, may not apply for a renewal of his
driving privileges until he reaches the age of 21.
    (c)  The Secretary of State shall, 30 days prior  to  the
expiration  of  a  driver's  license,  forward to each person
whose license is to expire a notification of  the  expiration
of said license which may be presented at the time of renewal
of said license.
    There  may be included with such notification information
explaining  the  anatomical  gift   and   Emergency   Medical
Information Card provisions of Section 6-110.  The format and
text   of   such  information  shall  be  prescribed  by  the
Secretary.
    There shall be included with  such  notification,  for  a
period  of  4  years  beginning  January  1, 2000 information
regarding  the  Illinois  Adoption   Registry   and   Medical
Information  Exchange  established  in  Section  18.1  of the
Adoption Act.
    (d)  The  Secretary  may  defer  the  expiration  of  the
driver's  license  of  a  licensee,  spouse,  and   dependent
children  who  are  living with such licensee while on active
duty, serving in  the  Armed  Forces  of  the  United  States
outside  of  the  State  of Illinois, and 45 days thereafter,
upon  such  terms  and  conditions  as  the   Secretary   may
prescribe.
    (e)  The  Secretary  of  State  may  decline to process a
renewal of a driver's license of any person who has not  paid
any  fee  or  tax  due  under  this Code and is not paid upon
reasonable notice and demand.
    (f)  The Secretary shall provide that  each  original  or
renewal  driver's license issued to a licensee under 21 years
of age shall  expire  3  months  after  the  licensee's  21st
birthday.  Persons  whose current driver's licenses expire on
their 21st birthday on or after January  1,  1986  shall  not
renew  their driver's license before their 21st birthday, and
their current  driver's  license  will  be  extended  for  an
additional  term  of  3  months  beyond  their 21st birthday.
Thereafter, the expiration and term of the  driver's  license
shall be governed by subsection (a) hereof.
    (g)  The  Secretary  shall  provide that each original or
renewal driver's license issued to a licensee 81 years of age
through age  86  shall  expire  2  years  from  the  date  of
issuance,  or at such later date as the Secretary may by rule
and regulation designate, not  to  exceed  an  additional  12
calendar  months.  The Secretary shall also provide that each
original or renewal driver's license issued to a licensee  87
years of age or older shall expire 12 months from the date of
issuance,  or at such later date as the Secretary may by rule
and regulation designate, not  to  exceed  an  additional  12
calendar months.
(Source: P.A. 86-467.)

    Section  10.  The  Adoption  Act  is  amended by changing
Sections 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.3a, 18.4a, 18.5, and  18.6  and
by  adding Sections 18.04, 18.05, 18.06, 18.07, 18.1a, 18.1b,
18.1c, 18.7, and 18.8 as follows:

    (750 ILCS 50/18.04 new)
    Sec. 18.04.  The Illinois Adoption Registry  and  Medical
Information   Exchange;   legislative  intent.   The  General
Assembly recognizes the importance of creating a procedure by
which mutually consenting adult members  of  birth  families,
adoptive   parents   and   legal  guardians  of  adopted  and
surrendered  children,  and  adult  adopted  or   surrendered
persons  may  voluntarily  exchange vital medical information
throughout the life of the  adopted  or  surrendered  person.
The  General  Assembly  supports  public policy that requires
explicit mutual consent prior to the release of  confidential
information.  The General Assembly further recognizes that it
is  in  the  best interest of adopted and surrendered persons
that birth  family  medical  histories  and  the  preferences
regarding  contact of all parties to an adoption be compiled,
preserved  and  provided  to  mutually  consenting   adoptive
parents   and  legal  guardians  of  adopted  or  surrendered
children and to adult  adopted  or  surrendered  persons  and
their  birth  parents  and  siblings.   The  purpose  of this
amendatory Act of 1999 is to respond  to  these  concerns  by
enhancing  the  Adoption  Registry and creating the voluntary
Medical Information Exchange.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.05 new)
    Sec. 18.05. The Illinois Adoption  Registry  and  Medical
Information Exchange.
    (a)  General  function.   Subject  to  appropriation, the
Department of Public Health shall redefine  the  function  of
the   Illinois  Adoption  Registry  and  create  the  Medical
Information Exchange in the manner  outlined  in  subsections
(b)  and  (c)  for  the purpose of facilitating the voluntary
exchange of medical information between  mutually  consenting
birth  parents  or  birth  siblings  and  mutually consenting
adoptive parents or legal guardians of adopted or surrendered
persons under the age of 21 or adopted or surrendered persons
21 years of age or over. The Department shall establish rules
for the  confidential  operation  of  the  Illinois  Adoption
Registry.   Beginning  January  1, 2000, the Department shall
conduct a public information campaign through public  service
announcements  and  other  forms of media coverage and, for a
minimum of 4 years, through notices  enclosed  with  driver's
license   renewal  applications,  shall  inform  adopted  and
surrendered persons born, surrendered, or adopted in Illinois
and their adoptive parents, legal  guardians,  birth  parents
and  birth  siblings  of  the  Illinois Adoption Registry and
Medical Information Exchange.  The  Department  shall  notify
all   parties  who  registered  with  the  Illinois  Adoption
Registry prior to January 1, 2000 of the provisions  of  this
amendatory Act of 1999.  The Illinois Adoption Registry shall
also maintain an informational Internet site where interested
parties  may  access  information about the Illinois Adoption
Registry and Medical Information Exchange  and  download  all
necessary  application  forms. The Illinois Adoption Registry
shall  maintain  statistical   records   regarding   Registry
participation   and  publish  and  circulate  to  the  public
informational material about the function  and  operation  of
the Registry.
    (b)  Establishment   of  the  Adoption/Surrender  Records
File.  When a person  has  voluntarily  registered  with  the
Illinois Adoption Registry and completed an Illinois Adoption
Registry  Application  or a Registration Identification Form,
the Registry shall establish a new Adoption/Surrender Records
File.  Such file may concern an adoption that  was  finalized
by  a court action in the State of Illinois, an adoption of a
person born in Illinois finalized by  a  court  action  in  a
state  other  than  Illinois  or  in  a foreign country, or a
surrender taken in the State of Illinois. Such  file  may  be
established for adoptions or surrenders finalized prior to as
well  as  after  the effective date of this amendatory Act of
1999.  A file may  be  created  in  any  manner  to  preserve
documents  including  but  not  limited to microfilm, optical
imaging, or electronic documents.
    (c)  Contents of the Adoption/Surrender Records File.  An
established Adoption/Surrender Records File shall be  limited
to   the  following  items,  to  the  extent  that  they  are
available:
         (1)  The General  Information  Section  and  Medical
    Information   Exchange   Questionnaire  of  any  Illinois
    Adoption   Registry   Application   or   a   Registration
    Identification Form which has been voluntarily  completed
    by  the  adopted  or  surrendered  person  or  his or her
    adoptive parents,  legal  guardians,  birth  parents,  or
    birth siblings.
         (2)  Any  photographs  voluntarily  provided  by any
    registrant for the adopted or surrendered person  or  his
    or  her adoptive parents, legal guardians, birth parents,
    or birth siblings at the time of registration or any time
    thereafter. All such photographs shall be submitted in an
    unsealed envelope no larger than 8 1/2" x 11", and  shall
    not  include  identifying  information  pertaining to any
    person other than the registrant who submitted them.  Any
    such  identifying  information  shall  be redacted by the
    Department or  the  information  shall  be  returned  for
    removal of identifying information.
         (3)  Any   Information   Exchange  Authorization  or
    Denial of Information Exchange which has been filed by  a
    registrant.
         (4)  For  all  adoptions  finalized after January 1,
    2000, copies of the original certificate  of  live  birth
    and the certificate of adoption.
         (5)  Any updated address submitted by any registered
    party about himself or herself.
         (6)  Any  proof of death which has been submitted by
    an adopted or surrendered person, adoptive parent,  legal
    guardian, birth parent, or birth sibling.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.06 new)
    Sec.  18.06.   Definitions.  When  used in Sections 18.05
through Section 18.6, for the purposes of the Registry:
    "Adopted person" means a person who was adopted  pursuant
to the laws in effect at the time of the adoption.
    "Adoptive  parent" means a person who has become a parent
through the legal process of adoption.
    "Agency"  means  a  public  child  welfare  agency  or  a
licensed child welfare agency.
    "Birth father" means the biological father of an  adopted
or   surrendered   person   who  is  named  on  the  original
certificate of live  birth  or  on  a  consent  or  surrender
document,  or  a  biological  father whose paternity has been
established by a judgment or order of the court, pursuant  to
the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984.
    "Birth  mother" means the biological mother of an adopted
or surrendered person.
    "Birth parent" means a birth mother or birth father of an
adopted or surrendered person.
    "Birth sibling" means the adult full or half  sibling  of
an adopted or surrendered person.
    "Denial  of  Information  Exchange"  means  an  affidavit
completed by a registrant with the Illinois Adoption Registry
and  Medical  Information  Exchange  denying  the  release of
identifying information.
    "Information Exchange Authorization" means  an  affidavit
completed by a registrant with the Illinois Adoption Registry
and  Medical  Information Exchange authorizing the release of
identifying information.
    "Medical Information Exchange  Questionnaire"  means  the
medical  history  questionnaire  completed by a registrant of
the  Illinois  Adoption  Registry  and  Medical   Information
Exchange.
    "Proof of death" means a death certificate.
    "Registrant"  or "Registered Party" means a birth parent,
birth sibling, adopted or surrendered person over the age  of
21,  or  adoptive  parent  or legal guardian of an adopted or
surrendered person under the age  of  21  who  has  filed  an
Illinois   Adoption   Registry  Application  or  Registration
Identification Form with the Registry.
    "Surrendered person" means a person whose parents' rights
have been surrendered or terminated  but  who  has  not  been
adopted.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.07 new)
    Sec.  18.07.   Adoption Registry Advisory Council.  There
is established an Adoption Registry  Advisory  Council.   The
Council shall be chaired by the Director of the Department of
Public Health or his designee.  The Council shall include the
Director of the Department of Children and Family Services or
his   designee.    The   Council   shall   also  include  one
representative from  each  of  the  following  organizations:
Adoption  Advocates  of  Illinois,  Adoptive  Families Today,
American Adoption Congress, Catholic Conference of  Illinois,
Chicago  Area Families for Adoption, Chicago Bar Association,
Child Care  Association  of  Illinois,  Children  Remembered,
Inc.,  Children's  Home  and  Aid  Society of Illinois, Child
Welfare  Advisory  Council,   The  Cradle,  Healing   Hearts,
Illinois  Foster  Parents  Association,  Illinois  State  Bar
Association,   Illinois   State   Medical   Society,   Jewish
Children's Bureau, Kids Help Foundation, LDS Social Services,
Lutheran  Social  Services  of  Illinois,  Maryville Academy,
Midwest Adoption Center, St. Mary's Services, Stars of David,
and Truthseekers in Adoption.
    If any one of the above named organizations notifies  the
Director  of  the Department of Public Health in writing that
the organization does not wish to participate on the Advisory
Council or that the organization is  no  longer  functioning,
the   Director   shall   appoint  another  organization  that
represents the same constituency as the named organization to
replace the named organization on the Council.
The Council's responsibilities shall include the following:
    1)  Advising the Department on the development of  rules,
    procedures,  and  forms utilized by the Illinois Adoption
    Registry and Medical Information Exchange;
    2)  Making  recommendations  regarding  the   procedures,
    tools  and  technology  that  will  ensure  efficient and
    effective operation of the Registry;
    3)  Submitting a report to the Governor and  the  General
    Assembly  no later than January 1, 2001, on the status of
    the Registry, an evaluation of the effectiveness  of  the
    Registry,   and   pertinent   statistics   regarding  the
    Registry;
    4)  Assisting  the  Department  with   the   development,
    publication, and circulation of an informational pamphlet
    that  describes  the  purpose, function, and mechanics of
    the Illinois Adoption Registry  and  Medical  Information
    Exchange,  including information about who is eligible to
    register and  how  to  register;  information  about  the
    questions  and concerns that registrants may develop when
    they register or when they receive information  from  the
    Registry;  and  a list of services, programs, groups, and
    informational  websites  that  are  available  to  assist
    registrants with their questions and concerns.
    (750 ILCS 50/18.1) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.1)
    Sec. 18.1.  Disclosure of identifying information.
    (a) The Department of Public Health shall  establish  and
maintain  a Registry for the purpose of providing identifying
information  to  mutually   consenting   adult   adopted   or
surrendered  persons,  birth parents, adoptive parents, legal
guardians  and  birth  siblings  children   surrendered   for
adoption  or  adoptees and biological parents and to mutually
consenting biological siblings. Identifying  information  for
the  purpose  of  this  Act shall mean any one or more of the
following:
         (1)  only The name and last  known  address  of  the
    consenting person or persons.
         (2)  A   copy  of  the  Illinois  Adoption  Registry
    Application of the consenting person or persons.
         (3)  A copy of  the  original  certificate  of  live
    birth of the adopted person.
    Written authorization from all parties identified must be
received prior to disclosure of any identifying information.
    (b)  At  any  time  after  a  child  is  surrendered  for
adoption,  or  at any time during the adoption proceedings or
at any time thereafter, either  birth  biological  parent  or
both  of  them  may file with the Registry a Birth Biological
Parent Registration Identification Form  and  an  Information
Exchange Authorization or a Denial of Information Exchange.
    (b-5)  A  birth  sibling  21 years of age or over who was
not surrendered for adoption and who has submitted  proof  of
death  for  a deceased birth parent and such birth parent did
not file a Denial of Information Exchange with  the  Registry
prior   to   his   or  her  death  may  file  a  Registration
Identification Form and an Information Exchange Authorization
or a Denial of Information Exchange.
    (c)  Any adopted person over the age of  21  adoptee,  or
any  surrendered person over the age of 21 child who has been
surrendered  for  adoption  but  not  adopted   ("surrendered
child"),  or  any  adoptive  parent  or  legal guardian of an
adopted or surrendered person under the age of  21  may  file
with  the  Registry  a an Adoptee Registration Identification
Form or a Surrendered Child Registration Identification  Form
and  an  Information  Exchange  Authorization  or a Denial of
Information Exchange. if such adoptee or surrendered child is
21 years of age or over; or, if over  18  years  of  age  and
under   21  years  of  age,  if  there  is  attached  to  the
Information Exchange Authorization  (1)  written  consent  of
both  adoptive  parents,  or  (2) written consent of a single
adoptive parent with a certified  copy  of  the  Judgment  of
Adoption,  or  (3)  proof of the death of one adoptive parent
and written consent of the surviving adoptive parent, or  (4)
written consent of the guardian of the adoptee or surrendered
child with a certified copy of the Order of Guardianship.
    (d)  The  Department of Public Health shall supply to the
adopted adoptee or surrendered person or his or her  adoptive
parents  or legal guardians child and to the birth biological
parents identifying information  only  if  both  the  adopted
adoptee  or  surrendered  person child or his or her adoptive
parents or legal guardians and the birth  biological  parents
have   filed   with  the  Registry  an  Information  Exchange
Authorization and the information at the  Registry  indicates
that  the  consenting  adopted  adoptee or surrendered person
child or the child of  the  consenting  adoptive  parents  or
legal   guardians  is  the  child  of  the  consenting  birth
biological parents.
    The Department of Public Health shall supply  to  adopted
adoptees  or  surrendered  persons  children  who  are  birth
biological  siblings  identifying  information  only  if both
siblings have filed with the Registry an Information Exchange
Authorization and the information at the  Registry  indicates
that   the   consenting  siblings  have  one  or  both  birth
biological parents in common.  Identifying information  shall
be  supplied to consenting birth biological siblings who were
adopted or surrendered if any such sibling is 21 years of age
or over; or, if over 18 years of age and under  21  years  of
age,  if  there  is  attached  to  the  Information  Exchange
Authorization  (1)  written consent of both adoptive parents,
or (2) written consent of a single  adoptive  parent  with  a
certified  copy  of the Judgment of Adoption, or (3) proof of
the death of one adoptive parent and written consent  of  the
surviving  adoptive  parent,  or  (4)  written consent of the
guardian of the adoptee or surrendered child with a certified
copy of the Order of Guardianship.   Identifying  information
shall  be  supplied to consenting birth siblings who were not
adopted or surrendered if any such sibling is 21 years of age
or over and has proof of death of the common birth parent and
such birth parent  did  not  file  a  Denial  of  Information
Exchange with the Registry prior to his or her death.
    (e)  A  birth  biological  parent, birth sibling, adopted
adoptee or surrendered person or their  adoptive  parents  or
legal  guardians  child may notify the Registry of his or her
desire not to have his or her identity revealed or may revoke
any previously filed Information  Exchange  Authorization  by
completing   and   filing   with   the  Registry  a  Registry
Identification  Form  along  with  a  Denial  of  Information
Exchange. The Illinois Adoption Registry Application does not
need to be completed in order to file a Denial of Information
Exchange.  Any adopted or adoptee, surrendered person or  his
or  her  adoptive  parents  or  legal  guardians, child birth
sibling or birth biological parent may  revoke  a  Denial  of
Information   Exchange  by  filing  an  Information  Exchange
Authorization.  The Department of Public Health shall act  in
accordance with the most recently filed Authorization.
    (f)  Identifying   information   ascertained   from   the
Registry  shall be confidential and may be disclosed only (1)
upon a Court Order, which order  shall  name  the  person  or
persons entitled to the information, or (2) to the adopted or
adoptee,  surrendered person child, adoptive parents or legal
guardians, birth adopted or  surrendered  sibling,  or  birth
biological  parent  if both the adopted or surrendered person
or his or her adoptive parents or legal guardians adoptee, or
surrendered child, and his or her birth biological parent, or
both, birth adopted or surrendered siblings, have filed  with
the Registry an Information Exchange Authorization, or (3) as
authorized  under subsection (h) of Section 18.3 of this Act.
A copy of  the  certificate  of  live  birth  shall  only  be
released  to  an  adopted person who was born in Illinois and
who is the subject of an Information  Exchange  Authorization
filed  by  one of his or her birth parents or non-surrendered
birth  siblings.    Any   person   who   willfully   provides
unauthorized  disclosure  of  any  information filed with the
Registry  or  who  knowingly  or  intentionally  files  false
information with the Registry shall be guilty of  a  Class  A
misdemeanor and shall be liable for damages.
    (g)  If  information  is  disclosed pursuant to this Act,
the Department shall redact  it  to  remove  any  identifying
information  about  any  party  who  has not consented to the
disclosure of such identifying information.
(Source: P.A. 86-1451.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.1a new)
    Sec. 18.1a.  Registry matches.
    (a)  The Registry shall release identifying  information,
as  specified  on  the Information Exchange Authorization, to
the following  mutually  consenting  registered  parties  and
provide  them  with any photographs which have been placed in
the Adoption/Surrender  Records  File  and  are  specifically
intended for the registered parties:
         (i)  an  adult adopted or surrendered person and one
    of his or her birth parents or birth  siblings  who  have
    both    filed    an   applicable   Information   Exchange
    Authorization specifying the other consenting party  with
    the  Registry,  if  information available to the Registry
    confirms  that  the  consenting  adopted  or  surrendered
    person is a birth relative of the consenting birth parent
    or sibling;
         (ii)  the adoptive parent or legal  guardian  of  an
    adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21 and one
    of  his  or  her birth parents or birth siblings who have
    both  filed   an   Information   Exchange   Authorization
    specifying  the other consenting party with the Registry,
    if information available to the  Registry  confirms  that
    the  child  of  the  consenting  adoptive parent or legal
    guardian is a birth  relative  of  the  consenting  birth
    parent or birth sibling.
    (b)  If  a  registrant  is  the  subject  of  a Denial of
Information Exchange filed by another party to the  adoption,
the  Registry  shall  not  release identifying information to
either registrant.
    (c)  If a registrant has completed a Medical  Information
Exchange  Questionnaire  and has consented to its disclosure,
that Questionnaire shall be released to any registered  party
who has indicated their desire to receive such information on
his   or  her  Illinois  Adoption  Registry  Application,  if
information available  to  the  Registry  confirms  that  the
consenting parties are birth relatives or that the consenting
birth  relative  and  the  child  of the consenting, adoptive
parents or legal guardians are birth relatives.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.1b new)
    Sec. 18.1b.  The Illinois Adoption Registry  Application.
The    Illinois    Adoption    Registry   Application   shall
substantially include the following:
    (a)  General Information.  The Illinois Adoption Registry
Application shall include the space  to  provide  Information
about the registrant including his or her surname, given name
or names, social security number (optional), mailing address,
home  telephone  number, gender, date and place of birth, and
the date of registration.  If applicable  and  known  to  the
registrant,  he  or she may include the maiden surname of the
birth mother, any subsequent surnames of  the  birth  mother,
the  surname  of the birth father, the given name or names of
the birth parents, the dates and places of birth of the birth
parents, the surname and given name or names of  the  adopted
person  prior  to  adoption, the gender and date and place of
birth of the adopted or surrendered person, the name  of  the
adopted  person  following  his or her adoption and the state
and county where the judgment of adoption was finalized.
    (b)  Medical  Information  Exchange  Questionnaire.    In
recognition  of  the importance of medical information and of
recent discoveries  regarding  the  genetic  origin  of  many
medical  conditions  and  diseases  all  registrants shall be
asked to voluntarily complete a Medical Information  Exchange
Questionnaire.
         (1)  For   birth  parents  or  birth  siblings,  the
    Medical Information Exchange Questionnaire shall  include
    a  comprehensive  check-list  of  medical  conditions and
    diseases  including  those  of  genetic  origin.    Birth
    parents and birth siblings shall be asked to indicate all
    genetically-inherited  diseases  and  conditions  on this
    list  which  are  known  to  exist  in  the  adopted   or
    surrendered   person's   birth  family  at  the  time  of
    registration. In addition, all birth  parents  and  birth
    siblings  shall  be apprised of the Registry's provisions
    for voluntarily submitting information  about  their  and
    their  family's  medical  histories  on  a  confidential,
    ongoing basis.
         (2)  Adopted   and  surrendered  persons  and  their
    adoptive parents or legal guardians  shall  be  asked  to
    indicate  all  genetically-inherited diseases and medical
    conditions with which the adopted or  surrendered  person
    or,   if  applicable,  his  or  her  children  have  been
    diagnosed since birth.
         (3)  The Medical Information Exchange  Questionnaire
    shall  include a space where the registrant may authorize
    the  release  of   the   Medical   Information   Exchange
    Questionnaire  to  specified  parties  and  a  disclaimer
    informing  registrants  that  the  Department  of  Public
    Health   cannot   guarantee   the   accuracy  of  medical
    information exchanged through the Registry.
    (c)  Written statement.  All registrants shall  be  given
the  opportunity to voluntarily file a written statement with
the Registry.  This statement shall be submitted in the space
provided. No written  statement  submitted  to  the  Registry
shall  include  identifying  information  pertaining  to  any
person  other  than the registrant who submitted it. Any such
identifying information shall be redacted by  the  Department
or returned for removal of identifying information.
    (d)  Contact  information.   All registrants may indicate
their wishes regarding contact with any other  registrant  by
completing  an Information Exchange Authorization or a Denial
of Information Exchange.
         (1)  Information Exchange Authorization.  Adopted or
    surrendered persons 21 years of age  or  over  who  would
    welcome  contact  with one or more of their birth parents
    or  birth  siblings;  birth  parents  who  would  welcome
    contact with an adopted or surrendered person, or one  or
    more  of  his or her adoptive parents or legal guardians;
    birth siblings 21 years of age or over who  were  adopted
    or  surrendered  and  who  would  welcome contact with an
    adopted or surrendered person, or one or more of  his  or
    her  adoptive  parents or legal guardians; birth siblings
    21 years of age or over who were not surrendered and  who
    have submitted proof of death for any common birth parent
    who  did  not file a Denial of Information Exchange prior
    to his or her death, and who would welcome  contact  with
    an  adopted  or surrendered person, or one or more of his
    or her adoptive parents or legal guardians; and  adoptive
    parents  or  legal  guardians  of  adopted or surrendered
    persons under the age of 21  who  would  welcome  contact
    with  one  or more of the adopted or surrendered person's
    birth parents or birth siblings  may  specify  with  whom
    they  wish  to exchange identifying information by filing
    an Information Exchange Authorization at the time of  the
    adoption or surrender, or any time thereafter.
         (2)  Denial  of  Information  Exchange.   Adopted or
    surrendered persons 21 years of age or over  who  do  not
    wish to establish contact with one or more of their birth
    parents  or  birth siblings may specify with whom they do
    not wish to exchange identifying information by filing  a
    Denial  of  Information Exchange.  Birth parents or birth
    siblings who do not wish to  establish  contact  with  an
    adopted  or  surrendered  person or one or more of his or
    her adoptive parents or legal guardians may specify  with
    whom they do not wish to exchange identifying information
    by filing a Denial of Information Exchange at the time of
    the  adoption  or  surrender,  or  any  time  thereafter.
    Adoptive   parents  or  legal  guardians  of  adopted  or
    surrendered persons under the age of 21 who do  not  wish
    to  establish  contact with one or more of the adopted or
    surrendered person's birth parents or birth siblings  may
    specify   with   whom   they  do  not  wish  to  exchange
    identifying information by filing a Denial of Information
    Exchange at the time of the adoption or surrender, or any
    time   thereafter.   The   Illinois   Adoption   Registry
    Application does not need to be  completed  in  order  to
    file a Denial of Information Exchange.
    (e)  A  registrant  may  complete  all or any part of the
Illinois  Adoption  Registry   Application.    All   Illinois
Adoption    Registry   Applications,   Information   Exchange
Authorizations, Denials of Information Exchange, requests  to
revoke  an  Information  Exchange  Authorization or Denial of
Information  Exchange,  and  affidavits  submitted   to   the
Registry shall be accompanied by proof of identification.
    (f)  The Department shall establish the Illinois Adoption
Registry  Application  form including the Medical Information
Exchange Questionnaire by rule.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.1c new)
    Sec.   18.1c.    Effective    date    of    registration.
Registration  with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical
Information Exchange shall become effective as  soon  as  the
applicant's  completed Illinois Adoption Registry Application
has been filed with the Registry.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.2) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.2)
    Sec. 18.2. Forms.
    (a)  The form of the Birth Biological Parent Registration
Identification Form shall be substantially as follows:
     BIRTH BIOLOGICAL PARENT REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION
               (Insert all known information)
I, ....., state that I am the ...... (mother  or  father)  of
the following child:
    Child's original name: ..... (first) ..... (middle) .....
         (last),  .....  (hour  of  birth),  .....  (date  of
         birth), ..... (city and state of birth), ..... (name
         of hospital).
    Father's  full name: ...... (first) ...... (middle) .....
         (last), ..... (date of birth), ..... (city and state
         of birth).
    Name of  mother  inserted  on  birth  certificate:  .....
         (first)  .....  (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race),
         ..... (date of birth), ......  (city  and  state  of
         birth).
That  I  surrendered  my  child  to:  .............  (name of
    agency),  .....  (city  and  state  of   agency),   .....
    (approximate date child surrendered).
That  I  placed  gave  up my child by private adoption: .....
    (date), ...... (city and state).
Name of adoptive parents, if known: ......
Other identifying information: .....
                                     ........................
                                        (Signature of parent)
............                         ........................
(date)                               (printed name of parent)

    (b)  The form of the Adopted Person Adoptee  Registration
Identification shall be substantially as follows:
                   ADOPTED PERSON ADOPTEE
                 REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION
               (Insert all known information)
I, ....., state the following:
    Adopted  Person's  Adoptee's  present name: ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last).
    Adopted Person's Adoptee's  name  at  birth  (if  known):
         .....  (first)  .....  (middle)  ..... (last), .....
         (birth date),  .....  (city  and  state  of  birth),
         ...... (sex), ..... (race).
    Name  of  adoptive  father:  ..... (first) ..... (middle)
         ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Maiden name  of  adoptive  mother:  .....  (first)  .....
         (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Name of birth biological mother (if known): ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Name of birth biological father (if known): ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Name(s)  at  birth  of  sibling(s)  having a common birth
         biological parent with  adoptee  (if  known):  .....
         (first)  .....  (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race),
         and name of common birth  biological  parent:  .....
         (first) ..... (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race).
I was adopted through: ..... (name of agency).
I was adopted privately: ..... (state "yes" if known).
I  was  adopted in ..... (city and state), ..... (approximate
    date).
Other identifying information: .............
                                       ......................
                                       (signature of adoptee)
...........                         .........................
(date)                              (printed name of adoptee)

    (c)  The   form   of   the   Surrendered   Person   Child
Registration  Identification  shall   be   substantially   as
follows:
            SURRENDERED PERSON CHILD REGISTRATION
                       IDENTIFICATION
               (Insert all known information)
I, ....., state the following:
    Surrendered  Person's Child's present name: ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last).
    Surrendered Person's Child's name at  birth  (if  known):
         .....   (first)   .....   (middle)   .....   (last),
         .....(birth  date), ..... (city and state of birth),
         ...... (sex), ..... (race).
    Name of guardian father:  .....  (first)  .....  (middle)
         ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Maiden  name  of  guardian  mother:  .....  (first) .....
         (middle) ..... (last), ..... (race).
    Name of birth biological mother (if known): ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last) ..... (race).
    Name of birth biological father (if known): ..... (first)
         ..... (middle) ..... (last), .....(race).
    Name(s) at birth of  sibling(s)  having  a  common  birth
         biological  parent  with  surrendered person adoptee
         (if  known):  .....  (first)  .....  (middle)  .....
         (last), .....  (race),  and  name  of  common  birth
         biological  parent:  .....  (first)  .....  (middle)
         ..... (last), ..... (race).
I was surrendered for adoption to: ..... (name of agency).
I  was  surrendered  for  adoption in ..... (city and state),
    ..... (approximate date).
Other identifying information: ............
                             ................................
                      (signature of surrendered person child)
............                           ......................
(date)                          (printed name of person child
                                    surrendered for adoption)

    (d)  The form of the Information  Exchange  Authorization
shall be substantially as follows:
             INFORMATION EXCHANGE AUTHORIZATION
    I,  .....,  state  that I am the person who completed the
Registration Identification; that I am of the  age  of  .....
years;  that  I  hereby  authorize  the  Department of Public
Health  to  give  to  my  (birth  biological  parent)  (birth
biological sibling) (surrendered child) the following (please
check the information authorized for exchange):
         [  ]  1.  Only my name and last known address.
         [  ]  2.  A copy of my  Illinois  Adoption  Registry
    Application.
         [  ]  3.  A copy of the original certificate of live
    birth. necessary information so I can be contacted; that
    I  am  fully  aware  that I can only be supplied with any
information about the name  and  last  known  address  of  my
(birth   biological   parent)   (birth   biological  sibling)
(surrendered child) if  such  person  has  duly  executed  an
Information Exchange Authorization for such information which
has  not been revoked; that I can be contacted by writing to:
..... (own name or  name  of  person  to  contact)  (address)
(phone  number).   Dated  (insert  date).  this  ..... day of
....., 19...
............                                   ..............
(witness)                                         (signature)

    (e)  The form of the Denial of Information Exchange shall
be substantially as follows:
               DENIAL OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE
    I, ....., state that I am the person  who  completed  the
Registration  Identification;  that  I am of the age of .....
years; that I hereby instruct the Department of Public Health
not to give any identifying information about me to my (birth
biological parent) (birth  biological  sibling)  (surrendered
child); that I do not wish to be contacted.
    Dated (insert date). this .... day of ......, 19...
.............                                 ...............
(witness)                                         (signature)

    (f)  The   Information  Exchange  Authorization  and  the
Denial of Information Exchange shall be acknowledged  by  the
birth  biological  parent,  birth biological sibling, adopted
adoptee or surrendered  person,  adoptive  parent,  or  legal
guardian  child before a notary public, in form substantially
as follows:
State of ..............
County of .............
    I, a Notary Public, in and for the said  County,  in  the
State  aforesaid,  do  hereby  certify  that  ...............
personally  known  to  me to be the same person whose name is
subscribed to the foregoing certificate  of  acknowledgement,
appeared  before  me  in  person and acknowledged that (he or
she) signed  such  certificate  as  (his  or  her)  free  and
voluntary act and that the statements in such certificate are
true.
    Given  under  my hand and notarial seal on (insert date).
this ....... day of .........., 19...
                                    .........................
                                             (signature)

    (g)  When  the  execution  of  an  Information   Exchange
Authorization   or   a  Denial  of  Information  Exchange  is
acknowledged before  a  representative  of  an  agency,  such
representative  shall  have his signature on said Certificate
acknowledged before a notary public, in form substantially as
follows:
State of..........
County of.........
    I, a Notary Public, in and for the said  County,  in  the
State  aforesaid,  do  hereby  certify  that ..... personally
known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to
the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement, appeared before
me in person and acknowledged that (he or  she)  signed  such
certificate  as  (his or her) free and voluntary act and that
the statements in such certificate are true.
    Given under my hand and notarial seal on  (insert  date).
this ..... day of ........., 19...
                                      .......................
                                               (signature)

    (h)  When    Where    an   Illinois   Adoption   Registry
Application, Information Exchange Authorization or  a  Denial
of  Information  Exchange  is  executed  signed  in a foreign
country, the execution of such document shall be acknowledged
or affirmed before an officer of the United  States  consular
services  in a manner conformable to the law and procedure of
such country.
    (i)  If  the  person  signing  an  Information   Exchange
Authorization  or  a Denial of Information is in the military
service of the United States, the execution of such  document
may  be  acknowledged  before  a commissioned officer and the
signature of  such  officer  on  such  certificate  shall  be
verified  or  acknowledged  before a notary public or by such
other procedure as is then in effect  for  such  division  or
branch of the armed forces.
    (j)  The Department shall modify these forms as necessary
to  implement  the  provisions of this Amendatory Act of 1999
including  creating  Registration  Identification  Forms  for
non-surrendered birth siblings, adoptive  parents  and  legal
guardians.
(Source: P.A. 87-413; 87-895; 88-45; revised 10-20-98.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.3) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.3)
    Sec.  18.3.     (a)  The  agency,  Department of Children
and Family  Services,  Court  Supportive  Services,  Juvenile
Division  of  the  Circuit  Court,  Probation Officers of the
Circuit Court and any other party to the surrender of a child
for adoption or in an adoption proceeding shall  obtain  from
any  birth biological parent or parents giving up a child for
purposes of adoption after the effective date of this  Act  a
written  statement  which  indicates:   (1)  a desire to have
identifying  information   shared   with   the   adopted   or
surrendered  person  child at a later date; (2)  a desire not
to have identifying information  revealed;  or  (3)  that  no
decision  is  made  at  that  time.  In addition, the agency,
Department of Children and Family Services, Court  Supportive
Services,  Juvenile  Division  of  the Circuit Court, and any
other organization involved in the surrender of a  child  for
adoption  in  an  adoption  proceeding shall inform the birth
parent or parents of a child born, adopted or surrendered  in
Illinois  of  the existence of the Illinois Adoption Registry
and Medical Information Exchange and provide  them  with  the
necessary application forms and if requested, assistance with
completing the forms.
    (b)  When  the  written  statement  is  signed, the birth
biological parent or parents shall  be  informed  in  writing
that  their  decision  regarding  the  sharing of identifying
information can be made or changed by such  birth  biological
parent or parents at any future date.
    (c)  The  birth  biological  parent  shall be informed in
writing that if sharing of identifying information  with  the
adopted  or  surrendered person child is to occur, that he or
she the child must be 21 years of age or over;  or  if  under
the  age of 21 with written consent of both adoptive parents,
with written consent of a single adoptive parent, with  proof
of  death  of  one adoptive parent and written consent of the
surviving adoptive parent, or with  written  consent  of  the
guardian of the child.
    (d)  If the birth biological parent or parents indicate a
desire  to  share identifying information with the adopted or
surrendered person child, the birth parent shall complete  an
Information  Exchange  Authorization. statement shall contain
information  regarding  means   to   communicate   with   the
biological parent.
    (e)  Any  birth  biological  parent or parents requesting
that no identifying information be revealed  to  the  adopted
adoptee  or  surrendered  person child shall be informed that
such request will be  conveyed  to  the  adopted  adoptee  or
surrendered  person  child  if  he  or  she  the  adoptee  or
surrendered   child   requests  such  information;  and  such
identifying information shall not be revealed.
    (f)  Any adopted adoptee or surrendered person  child  21
years  of  age or over, and any adoptee under 21 years of age
with written consent of the adoptive parents,  the  surviving
adoptive  parent, a single adoptive parent or the guardian of
the child may also indicate in writing his or her  desire  or
lack  of  desire  to  share  identifying information with the
birth  biological  parent  or  parents  or  birth  biological
sibling or siblings.   Any  adopted  adoptee  or  surrendered
person  child  requesting  that no identifying information be
revealed to the birth biological parent or  birth  biological
sibling shall be informed that such request shall be conveyed
to  the  parent  if  such  birth  biological  parent or birth
biological  sibling  requests  such  information;  and   such
identifying information shall not be revealed.
    (g)  Any  birth  biological  parents,  birth  sibling and
adopted adoptees or surrendered person,  adoptive  parent  or
legal  guardian  children  indicating their desire to receive
have identifying or medical information shall be informed  of
the  existence  of the Registry and assistance shall be given
to such person  biological  parent,  adoptee  or  surrendered
child  to  also  legally  record  his  or  her  name with the
Registry.
    (h)  The  agency,  Department  of  Children  and   Family
Services, Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division of the
Circuit  Court,  Probation  Officers of the Circuit Court and
any other organization involved in the surrender of  a  child
for  adoption  in  an  adoption  proceeding which has written
statements from an  adopted  adoptee  or  surrendered  person
child  and  the birth biological parent or a birth biological
sibling  indicating   a   desire   to   receive   identifying
information  shall  supply  such  information to the mutually
consenting parties, except that  no  identifying  information
shall  be supplied to consenting birth biological siblings if
any such sibling is under 21 years of age. However, both  the
Registry having an Information Exchange Authorization and the
organization    having   a   written   statement   requesting
identifying information shall communicate with each other  to
determine  if the adopted adoptee or surrendered person child
or the birth biological parent or  birth  biological  sibling
has  signed a form at a later date indicating a change in his
or her desires regarding the  sharing  of  information.   The
agreement of the birth biological parent shall be binding.
    (i)  On  and  after  January  1, 2000, any licensed child
welfare agency which provides post-adoption search assistance
to adoptive parents, adopted persons, birth parents, or birth
siblings   shall   require   that   any   person   requesting
post-adoption search assistance complete an Illinois Adoption
Registry Application prior to the commencement of the search.
(Source: P.A. 86-1451.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.3a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.3a)
    Sec. 18.3a.  Confidential intermediary.
    (a)  General   purposes.    Notwithstanding   any   other
provision of this Act, any adopted person  adoptee  over  the
age  of  21 18 or any adoptive parent or legal guardian of an
adopted person adoptee under the age of 21  18  may  petition
the  court  for appointment of a confidential intermediary as
provided in this Section for the purpose  of  obtaining  from
one or both birth biological parents or a sibling or siblings
of  the  adopted  person  adoptee  information concerning the
background of a psychological  or  genetically-based  medical
problem   experienced   or   which  may  be  expected  to  be
experienced in the future by the adopted  person  adoptee  or
obtaining assistance in treating such a problem.
    (b)  Petition.   The  court  shall appoint a confidential
intermediary for the purposes described in subsection (f)  if
the petitioner shows the following:
         (1)  the  adopted person adoptee is suffering or may
    be  expected   to   suffer   in   the   future   from   a
    life-threatening or substantially incapacitating physical
    illness  of  any  nature,  or a psychological disturbance
    which   is   substantially   incapacitating    but    not
    life-threatening,  or  a  mental  illness  which,  in the
    opinion of a physician licensed to practice  medicine  in
    all  its  branches, is or could be genetically based to a
    significant degree;
         (2)  the treatment of the adopted person adoptee, in
    the opinion of a physician licensed to practice  medicine
    in  all  of its branches, would be materially assisted by
    information obtainable from the birth biological  parents
    or  might  benefit  from the provision of organs or other
    bodily  tissues,  materials,  or  fluids  by  the   birth
    biological  parents  or other close biological relatives;
    and
         (3)  there  is  neither  an   Information   Exchange
    Authorization  nor a Denial of Information Exchange filed
    in the Registry as provided in Section 18.1.
    The affidavit or  testimony  of  the  treating  physician
shall  be  conclusive  on the issue of the utility of contact
with the birth biological parents unless the court finds that
the relationship between the illness to be  treated  and  the
alleged need for contact is totally without foundation.
    (c)  Fees  and  expenses.   The court shall condition the
appointment of the confidential intermediary on  the  payment
of  the  intermediary's  fees and expenses in advance, unless
the intermediary waives the right to full advance payment  or
to any reimbursement at all.
    (d)  Eligibility  of intermediary.  The court may appoint
as  confidential  intermediary  either  an  employee  of  the
Illinois  Department  of   Children   and   Family   Services
designated  by  the  Department  to  serve as such, any other
person certified by the Department as qualified to serve as a
confidential intermediary, or  any  employee  of  a  licensed
child  welfare agency certified by the agency as qualified to
serve as a confidential intermediary.
    (e)  Access.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the  confidential  intermediary  shall  have  access  to  all
records of the court or any agency, public or private,  which
relate  to  the  adoption or the identity and location of any
birth biological parent.
    (f)  Purposes of contact.  The confidential  intermediary
has only the following powers and duties:
         (1)  To   contact   one  or  both  birth  biological
    parents, inform  the  parent  or  parents  of  the  basic
    medical  problem  of  the  adopted person adoptee and the
    nature of the information or assistance sought  from  the
    birth biological parent, and inform the parent or parents
    of the following options:
              (A)  The  birth  biological  parent may totally
         reject the request for assistance or information, or
         both, and no  disclosure  of  identity  or  location
         shall be made to the petitioner.
              (B)  The  birth  biological  parent may file an
         Information Exchange Authorization  as  provided  in
         Section  18.1.  The  confidential intermediary shall
         explain  to  the   birth   biological   parent   the
         consequences  of  such  a filing, including that the
         birth biological parent's identity will be available
         for discovery by the adopted person adoptee. If  the
         birth  biological  parent agrees to this option, the
         confidential intermediary shall  supply  the  parent
         with the appropriate forms, shall be responsible for
         their  immediate filing with the Registry, and shall
         inform the petitioner of their filing.
              (C)  If the birth biological parent  wishes  to
         provide  the  information  or  assistance sought but
         does not wish his or  her  identity  disclosed,  the
         confidential  intermediary  shall  arrange  for  the
         disclosure  of  the  information or the provision of
         assistance in as confidential a manner  as  possible
         so as to protect the privacy of the birth biological
         parent  and minimize the likelihood of disclosure of
         the birth biological parent's identity.
         (2)  If a birth biological  parent  so  desires,  to
    arrange   for   a  confidential  communication  with  the
    treating physician to discuss the need for the  requested
    information or assistance.
         (3)  If  a birth biological parent agrees to provide
    the  information  or  assistance  sought  but  wishes  to
    maintain his or her privacy, to arrange for the provision
    of the information or assistance to the physician  in  as
    confidential  a  manner  as possible so as to protect the
    privacy of the birth biological parent and  minimize  the
    likelihood of disclosure of the birth biological parent's
    identity.
    (g)  Oath.   The  confidential intermediary shall sign an
oath of confidentiality substantially as follows:
         "I, .........., being duly sworn, on oath depose and
    say:  As a condition of  appointment  as  a  confidential
    intermediary, I affirm that:
         (1)  I will not disclose to the petitioner, directly
    or  indirectly,  any  information  about  the identity or
    location of the birth biological parent whose  assistance
    is  being  sought  for medical reasons except in a manner
    consistent with the law.
         (2)  I  recognize  that  violation  of   this   oath
    subjects  me  to  civil  liability  and to being found in
    contempt of court.
                             ................................

         SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, a Notary  Public,
    on (insert date). this ..... day of .........., 19...
                            ................................"
    (h)  Sanctions.
         (1)  Any  confidential  intermediary  who improperly
    discloses  information  identifying  a  birth  biological
    parent shall be liable to the birth biological parent for
    damages and may also be found in contempt of court.
         (2)  Any physician or  other  person  who  learns  a
    birth   biological   parent's   identity,   directly   or
    indirectly,  through  the  use  of procedures provided in
    this Section and  who  improperly  discloses  information
    identifying  the  birth biological parent shall be liable
    to the birth biological parent for  actual  damages  plus
    minimum punitive damages of $10,000.
    (i)  Death  of  birth  biological parent. Notwithstanding
any  other  provision  of  this  Act,  if  the   confidential
intermediary  discovers  that  the person whose assistance is
sought has died, he or she shall  report  this  fact  to  the
court,  along  with  a  copy  of  the  death  certificate  if
possible.
(Source: P.A. 86-1451; revised 10-20-98.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.4a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.4a)
    Sec. 18.4a.  Medical and mental health histories.
    (a)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision of law to the
contrary, to  the  extent  currently  in  possession  of  the
agency,  the  medical  and mental health histories of a child
legally freed  for  adoption  and  of  the  birth  biological
parents,  with  information  identifying the birth biological
parents eliminated, shall be provided by  an  agency  to  the
child's  prospective  adoptive  parent  and shall be provided
upon request to an adoptive parent  when  a  child  has  been
adopted.   The  medical  and  mental  health  histories shall
include all the following available information:
         (1)  Conditions   or   diseases   believed   to   be
    hereditary.
         (2)  Drugs or medications taken by the child's birth
    biological mother during pregnancy.
         (3)  Psychological and psychiatric information.
         (4)  Any other information  that  may  be  a  factor
    influencing the child's present or future health.
    (b)  The  Department  of Children and Family Services may
promulgate rules and regulations  governing  the  release  of
medical histories under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 87-617.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.5) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.5)
    Sec.  18.5.  Liability.  No liability shall attach to the
State, any agency thereof, any licensed  agency,  any  judge,
any  officer  or  employee  of  the  court,  or  any party or
employee thereof involved in the surrender  of  a  child  for
adoption  or  in  an  adoption proceeding for acts or efforts
made within the scope  of  Sections  18.05  18.1  thru  18.5,
inclusive,  of this Act and under pursuant to its provisions,
except for subsection (f) of Section 18.1.
(Source: P.A. 86-304.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.6) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.6)
    Sec. 18.6.  Registry  fees.   The  Department  of  Public
Health  shall  levy  a fee for each registrant under Sections
18.05 18.1 through 18.5. A  $40  fee  shall  be  charged  for
registering  with  the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical
Information Exchange.  However, this fee shall be waived  for
all  adopted  or surrendered persons, adoptive parents, legal
guardians, birth parents, and birth siblings who  complete  a
Medical  Information  Exchange  Questionnaire  at the time of
registration  and  authorize   its   release   to   specified
registered  parties,  and  for  adoptive  parents registering
within 12 months of the finalization of  the  adoption.   All
persons  who  were  registered  with  the  Illinois  Adoption
Registry  prior  to the effective date of this amendatory Act
of 1999 and who wish to update their registration may  do  so
without  charge.  No charge of any kind shall be made for the
withdrawal  of  any  form  provided   in   Section   18.2   a
registration or consent form.
(Source: P.A. 87-318.)

    (750 ILCS 50/18.7 new)
    Sec.   18.7.   Illinois  Adoption  Registry  and  Medical
Information Exchange Fund.  There is  created  in  the  State
treasury  a special fund to be known as the Illinois Adoption
Registry and Medical Information  Exchange  Fund.   All  fees
collected  by  the  Illinois  Adoption  Registry  under  this
amendatory  Act  of  1999  shall  be deposited into the Fund.
Subject to appropriation, the amounts in the  Fund  shall  be
used by the Department of Public Health to conduct activities
related  to  maintaining  the  Illinois Adoption Registry and
Medical Information Exchange and issuing  any  documents  and
forms  related  to the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical
Information Exchange.

    (750 ILCS 50/18.8 new)
    Sec.   18.8.    Improper   disclosure   of    identifying
information.   All  information  submitted to the Registry is
confidential and gathered by the State solely for the purpose
of facilitating the exchange  of  updated  medical  data  and
contact  information  between adopted and surrendered persons
and other registered parties.  Information exchanged  through
the   Registry  shall  not  be  admissible  as  evidence  nor
discoverable in any action of any kind in any court or before
any tribunal, board, agency, or  commission.   Disclosure  of
identifying information in violation of this Act is a Class A
misdemeanor.

    Section  99.   Effective  date.   This  Act  takes effect
January 1, 2000.

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