BILL NUMBER: S6578
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the release of
identifying information of consenting registrants from the adoption
registry
 
PURPOSE:
To expand opportunities to consent to the release of identifying infor-
mation held by the adoption registry.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Subdivision 6 of section 4138-c of the public health
law by allowing registrants of an adoption registry to consent to the
release of identifying information via a form.
Section 2 amends section 206 of the public health law by adding a new
subdivision 32 which requires the commissioner to promulgate rules and
regulations relating to the creation of a pre-authorization form to be
used by adoption registry registrants to consent to the release of iden-
tifying information.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many people use New York's adoption registry to reconnect with their
family members. Due to the sensitivity of the information held by the
registry, including identifying information such as names and addresses,
New York State rightfully ensures the privacy of such information by
requiring that all parties consent to its release. However, because
current law requires final consent from registrants, which must be given
at the time of the request rather than upon entering the registry, in
cases of death or serious injury, it can become impossible for that
final consent to be given. In situations like this, their distant family
members are often unable to learn that person's identity.
This legislation would facilitate the release of identifying information
in situations in which an individual would have wished for that informa-
tion to be released, but, due to death or other circumstances, is at the
present time and, despite their previous wishes, unable to consent to
that release. It does so by directing the department of health to create
a form which can be used to consent in advance of the release of such
information upon request by another registrant.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S8605 - Referred to Health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6578: 4138-c public health law, 4138-c(6) public health law, 206 public health law