The bill H. 5487 proposes amendments to Section 44-63-140 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, specifically regarding the issuance of supplementary or amended birth certificates for adopted individuals. The key change allows adopted persons who are eighteen years or older to request a copy of their original birth certificate from the state registrar. This request can be made if a biological parent has provided consent or if the biological parent is deceased, and it applies retroactively to all adoptions, regardless of when they were finalized. The bill also outlines the procedures for redacting information about biological parents who have not consented to the release of their information.

Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a contact preference form and a medical history form for biological parents, which can be completed voluntarily and will accompany the original sealed birth certificate issued to the adoptee. These forms will be confidential and stored in a sealed file, ensuring that the biological parent's preferences regarding contact and medical history are respected. The bill aims to enhance the rights of adopted individuals to access their original birth records while maintaining the privacy of biological parents. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
04/01/2026: 44-63-140
Latest Version: 44-63-140