§ 19-5-301 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and declares that adult adoptees, adoptive parents, biological parents, and
biological siblings should have a right of access to certain records regarding their
or their child's adoption or the adoption of their offspring or siblings as outlined in
section 19-5-305 and that such a right must coexist with the right of such parties to
privacy and confidentiality. The general assembly also finds that an adult adoptee,
his biological or adoptive parent, or his biological sibling may desire to obtain
information about each other at different points in time. Furthermore, the general
assembly finds that confidentiality from the general public is essential to the
adoption process and that any procedure to access information which relates to an
adoption to search for unknown relatives through a confidential intermediary or a
licensed child placement agency must be designed to maintain confidentiality and
to respect the wishes of all involved parties.

(2) (a) It is the purpose of this part 3 to establish a confidential process
whereby adult adoptees and adoptive parents who desire information concerning
their or their child's adoption and biological parents and siblings who desire
information concerning an adult adoptee may pursue access to such information.

(b) The general assembly further finds and declares that the purpose of
establishing the confidential process set forth in this part 3 is to create a pool of
individuals who the courts and interested parties may call upon to initiate a search
for a biological relative. It is not the intent of the general assembly that such
process shall be construed as the regulation of an occupation or profession.

Legislative History

Source: L. 89: Entire part added, p. 940, � 1, effective March 27. L. 2014: (1) amended, (SB 14-051), ch. 260, p. 1048, � 4, effective July 1.