Indiana § 31-19-25-4.6 - Contact preference form; contents; identification; duration; changing preference

§ 31-19-25-4.6. Contact preference form; contents; identification; duration; changing preference

Sec. 4.6. (a) The state registrar shall prescribe a contact preference form for birth parents. The form must include the following:

(1) A component in which a birth parent is to indicate one (1) of the following with regard to a person that requests identifying information:

(A) That the birth parent welcomes the person to contact the birth parent directly and authorizes the release of identifying information.

(B) That the birth parent prefers that the birth parent be contacted through an intermediary and does not authorize the release of identifying information directly to the person.

(C) That the birth parent prefers that the person not contact the birth parent directly or through an intermediary and does not authorize the release of identifying information.

(D) That the birth parent:

(i) prefers that the person not contact the birth parent as provided under clause (C); but

(ii) welcomes the state registrar to contact the birth parent to request that the birth parent update the birth parent's medical information.

(2) A component in which a birth parent who prefers to be contacted through an intermediary as provided under subdivision (1)(B) may designate a third party to act as the intermediary for the birth parent.

(3) Provisions necessary for the state registrar to be able to identify the adoption file of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.

(4) A notice that the birth parent may change the birth parent's indicated preference regarding contact by filing a new contact preference form with the state registrar.

(5) A notice that an adoptee who does not know which court entered the adoption decree regarding the adoptee may seek assistance from the state registrar.

(b) The state registrar may accept a completed contact preference form from a birth parent only if the birth parent provides to the state registrar one (1) item of identification of the birth parent.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (f), a contact preference form submitted by a birth parent to the state registrar does not lapse.

(d) If a birth parent has previously completed and submitted a contact preference form, the state registrar shall replace the birth parent's previous contact preference form with the birth parent's new contact preference form.

(e) A birth parent may file a completed contact preference form with the state registrar to change the birth parent's indicated preference regarding contact as many times as the birth parent wishes.

(f) A contact preference form is no longer in effect if the birth parent who filed the contact preference form is deceased, unless the contact preference form specifically states that the contact preference form remains in effect after the birth parent's death.

As added by P.L.3-2016, SEC.18.