5101:2-48-20. Release of identifying and nonidentifying information

(A) The assessor shall inform birth parents who enter into a voluntary surrender agreement that:

(1) Birth parents will be required to complete the JFS 01693, "Ohio Law and Adoption Materials" (rev. 5/2009) which will indicate their decision regarding the release of identifying information to the adopted person or adoptive parent. The JFS 01693 shall be signed at least seventy-two hours prior to the time the consent to the adoption is executed.

(2) Birth parents have the option, at any time or for as many times as they want, to reverse their decision regarding the release of identifying information by contacting the Ohio department of health (ODH) and requesting a copy of a denial of release form or a copy of an authorization of release form.

(3) Unless the birth parents have signed the denial of release of information on the JFS 01693, identifying information can be released to:

(a) The adoptive parent when the adopted person is under eighteen years of age and the adoptive parent submits a request to ODH.

(b) The adopted person when the adopted person is at least eighteen years of age and the adopted person submits a request to ODH.

(B) The assessor shall inform the adoptive parent(s) that when:

(1) The adopted person is under eighteen years of age, the adoptive parent can submit a request to ODH to request a copy of the contents of the adoption files which may include identifying information about the birth parents.

(2) The adopted person is eighteen years of age or older, the adopted person can submit a request to ODH to request a copy of the contents of the adoption files which may include identifying information about the birth parents.

(3) The adopted person is eighteen years of age or older, the adopted person can submit a request to ODH authorizing ODH to assist the adopted person's birth parents or birth siblings in finding the adopted person's name by adoption. The adopted person may alter this decision at any time or for as many times as the adopted person wants by submitting a request to ODH.

(C) The public children services agency (PCSA) or private child placing agency (PCPA) shall provide the birth parent with the address for ODH to obtain instructions regarding the filing of authorizations.

(D) Upon written request, the PCSA or PCPA shall provide the following nonidentifying information to the adopted person age eighteen or older, an adoptive parent of an adopted person under age eighteen or an adoptive relative of a deceased adopted person:

(1) A birth parents' age at the time the birth parents' child was adopted.

(2) The medical and genetic history of the birth parents.

(3) The age, sex, and medical and genetic history of an adopted person's birth siblings and extended family members.

(4) The heritage and ethnic background, educational level, general physical appearance, religion, occupation, and cause of death of the birth parents, birth siblings and extended family members.

(5) Any information that may be included on the JFS 01616, "Social and Medical History" (rev. 6/ 2009).

(6) Any information that is not deemed as identifying information as defined in rule 5101: 2-1-01 of the Administrative Code.

(E) Subject to a determination made pursuant to division (E) of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code, the PCSA or PCPA shall provide, upon written request, the following nonidentifying information to the birth parent of an adopted person eighteen years of age or older, a birth sibling age eighteen or older or a birth family member of a deceased birth parent:

(1) An adoptive parent's age at the time of adoption.

(2) An adoptive sibling's age at the time of adoption.

(3) The heritage, ethnic background, religion, educational level and occupation of the adoptive parent.

(4) General information known about the well-being of the adoptee before and after the adoption.

Effective: 10/01/2014
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 07/09/2014 and 10/01/2019
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3107.083, 5153.166
Rule Amplifies: 3107.083, 3107.09, 3107.40, 3107.41, 3107.46, 3107.47, 3107.60
Prior Effective Dates: 1/14/83, 6/1/85 (Emer.), 8/12/85, 7/1/90, 9/1/94, 9/18/96, 2/13/98 (Emer.), 5/14/98, 9/1/03, 9/15/08, 8/17/09