(a) Agency.--
(1) If an agency is satisfied that a request could cause physical or emotional harm to the requesting individual or others, the agency may decline to conduct a search to determine whether an individual will authorize the disclosure of identifying information or contact under this chapter.
(2) An agency may decline to commence or conduct a search required under this chapter if the requester fails to pay the reasonable costs associated with commencing or conducting the search.
(3) (i) An agency that declines to conduct a search shall refer the request to the court that finalized the adoption and inform the court of its reasons for declining the request.
(ii) The agency shall notify the requester of the referral and identify the court to which the referral was made.
(b) Court.--
(1) If a court is satisfied that a request could cause physical or emotional harm to the requesting individual or others, the court receiving a request for identifying information or contact may decline to perform a search.
(2) A court that declines to conduct a search shall inform the requesting individual of its decision in writing and of the procedures for appeal of that decision.
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Section 2905 - Impounding of proceedings and access to records (Repealed)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Section 2909 - Medical history information (Repealed)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