2019 -- H 5485

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LC001459

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- ADOPTION OF CHILDREN

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Ucci, Costantino, and Messier

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 15-7 of the General Laws entitled "Adoption of Children" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     15-7-27. Mutual consent voluntary sibling adoption registry.

     (a) In addition to other procedures by which birth certificates may be inspected under this

chapter, the division of vital records shall establish a mutual consent voluntary sibling adoption

registry through which adult adopted children and adult siblings may register to obtain identifying

birth information. For the purposes of this section, adult adopted child shall be defined as an adult

adoptee twenty-five (25) years of age or older in accordance with § 23-3-1, and an adult adopted

sibling shall be any person eighteen (18) years of age or older.

     (b) Provided that all of the following conditions are met, the director of the division of

vital records shall reveal the identity of the adult adopted child to an adult sibling and shall notify

the parties involved that the requests have been matched, and disclose the identifying information

to those parties if:

     (1) An adult adopted child has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of

the adult adopted child's identity to an adult sibling.

     (2) The adult sibling has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of the

identity of the adult sibling to the adult adopted child.

     (3) The division of vital records has been provided with sufficient information to make

the requested match.

     (c) A person who has filed a request or provided consent under this section may withdraw

the consent at any time prior to the release of any information by filing a written withdrawal of

consent statement with the division of vital records. The adult adoptee or adult sibling shall notify

the division of vital records of any change in the information contained in a filed request or

consent.

     (d) The division of vital records is hereby empowered and directed to promulgate rules

and regulations necessary to implement this section including, but not limited to, a fee for

administering services pursuant to this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- ADOPTION OF CHILDREN

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     This act would establish a voluntary mutual consent sibling adoption registry where adult

adopted children and adult siblings can identify each other.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001459

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