HB 162 Would Let Adoptees See Birth Certificates — The House Children and Youth Committee held a hearing last week on a bill to allow adult adoptees in Pennsylvania access to their original birth certificate, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
HB 162 would require that the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health release the original or amended birth certificate for an adoptee if the adoptee requests the birth certificate in writing. Current law places a number of restrictions on what identifying information can be released about a birth parent or an adoptee. Generally, a court or government agency may not release the identity of a party to an adoption unless that individual has authorized the release of the information.
Information included on birth certificates can help adoptees with medical and genetic history and obtain proper government identification, among other items. Original birth certificates for adult adoptees are available in several other states.
The bill awaits full committee consideration.