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Subcommittee advances bill to widen adoptee and investigator access to adoption records
Summary
The Children and Family Affairs subcommittee voted to advance House Bill 102, which would grant adoptees access to their adoption records at age 18 or upon emancipation, allow adoptive parents access to records while a child is a minor, and permit DCS to obtain records for abuse investigations.
House Bill 102 was advanced out of the Children and Family Affairs subcommittee on Feb. 11, 2025, after members voted 7-0 to move the measure to the judiciary committee. The bill is described by its sponsor as an administration measure to increase access to adoption records for adoptees, adoptive parents and child-protection investigators.
Sponsor remarks to the subcommittee said the bill would help people who were adopted and those investigating possible neglect or abuse. "This administration bill provides more accessibility to adoption records for adoptees, parents of adoptees, and to those investigating potential neglect or abuse," the sponsor said. He outlined three principal provisions: adoptees may access their adoption records upon their 18th birthday or emancipation; adoptive parents may access the complete adoptive record while the adoptee is still a minor; and the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) would be permitted to obtain records needed for investigations that could prevent further trauma to children and assist in prosecuting perpetrators.
Committee members recorded unanimous support during the roll call. The committee clerk read seven ayes and the chair directed the bill be sent to the judiciary committee for further consideration.
The bill text and any amendment language were not read into the record during the subcommittee session. No outside witnesses or public testimony were recorded on this item at the subcommittee meeting. Any additional legislative steps, amendment language, or dissent that occur in judiciary or on the floor will determine the bill’s final scope and effect.
