The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency records." All information collected by an agency relating to a birth family, an adoptive family and an adoptee.
"Authorization form." A form provided by the department on which an adoptee, an adoptive parent or a birth relative can authorize or prohibit the release of identifying information pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
"Authorized representative." An individual who is appointed to conduct a search under this chapter and who has completed a standardized training program as required by the department under this chapter.
"Court records." All petitions, exhibits, reports, notes of testimony, decrees and other papers pertaining to a proceeding under this chapter or former statutes relating to adoption.
"Department." The Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth.
"Medical history information." Medical records and other information concerning an adoptee or an adoptee's birth family that is relevant to the present or future health care or medical treatment of the adoptee or the adoptee's birth family. The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Otherwise confidential or privileged information, if identifying information has been removed under section 2925 (relating to providing information from registry).
(2) Information about the birth parents of a child that may concern a potential hereditary or congenital medical problem.
"Noncertified copy of original birth record." A summary of original birth record, similar in form to a certified copy of an original birth record and consisting of only the names and ages of the birth parents, the date and county of the birth of the child and the name given to the child at birth.
"Social history information." The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Information about the adoptee and birth relatives of the adoptee, including economic, cultural and ethnic information.
(2) A developmental history of the adoptee, including the circumstances at birth, early development and subsequent age-appropriate task development.
(3) The social experiences of the adoptee, including abuse and neglect, out-of-home care and patterns of interpersonal relationships.
(4) The educational experiences of the adoptee, including the name of schools attended and dates of enrollment, academic performance, extracurricular activities and special interests.
(5) The current functioning of the adoptee, including behavioral patterns and relationships.
(6) The circumstances surrounding the adoption.
"Summary of original birth record." (Deleted by amendment).
(Nov. 3, 2016, P.L.993, No.127, eff. imd.)
2016 Amendment. Act 127 added the def. of "noncertified copy of original birth record" and deleted the def. of "summary of original birth record."
References in Text. The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 29 - Decrees and Records
Section 2901 - Time of entry of decree of adoption
Section 2902 - Requirements and form of decree of adoption
Section 2903 - Retention of parental status
Section 2904 - Name of adoptee
Section 2905 - Impounding of proceedings and access to records (Repealed)
Section 2907 - Certificate of adoption
Section 2908 - Foreign decree of adoption
Section 2909 - Medical history information (Repealed)
Section 2910 - Penalty for unauthorized disclosure
Section 2912 - Combined request for information
Section 2913 - Reasonable fees
Section 2914 - Immunity from liability
Section 2915 - Court and agency records
Section 2916 - Attorney records
Section 2921 - Establishment of registry
Section 2922 - Informational material
Section 2923 - Filing information with registry
Section 2924 - Who may request information from registry
Section 2925 - Providing information from registry
Section 2926 - Rules and regulations
Section 2931 - Access to information
Section 2932 - Nonidentifying information
Section 2933 - Identifying information
Section 2934 - Statement of medical and social history information
Section 2935 - Confidentiality
Section 2936 - Refusal to search