HB 355 -- ADOPTION RECORDS

SPONSOR:  Kelly (27)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 12 to 2.

This bill allows an adopted person born in Missouri who is 18
years of age or older to receive a certified copy of his or her
original, unaltered birth certificate from the state registrar
upon written application.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to General Revenue Fund of
$63,000 in FY 2002, $75,600 in FY 2003, and $30,146 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that since 1941, Missouri law has
prohibited the viewing of adoption records, except where a court
order has been issued and the records are viewed according to
Section 453.121, RSMo.  Missouri adoptees, 18 years of age or
older, should be treated no differently than other Missouri
citizens and allowed access to the original birth record.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Kelly (27); Missouri
Open 2000; Frances Rigg; Ralph Schultheiss; and Brenda Petty.
Letters of support were also submitted to the committee.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am