Opinion ID: 1980168
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Vermont Adoption Act

Text: In order to understand the claims in this case and their disposition by the probate and superior courts, it is helpful to first examine the statutory scheme governing adoption and disclosure of adoption-related information in Vermont. In 1996, the Legislature enacted a new, comprehensive Adoption Act, modifying this state's policy on access to adoption records. See 15A V.S.A. §§ 1-101 to 7-105. This is the first time we have been called upon to construe the Act. The provisions governing the disclosure of adoption records appear in Article 6 of the statute. See id. §§ 6-101 to 6-112. Specifically, the article sets out policies governing the confidentiality, retention, and release of information contained in adoption records. As in the prior law, the basic policy is that adoption records are confidential: (a) All records on file with the court or in the possession of an agency, the department of health, the registry or other provider of professional services in connection with an adoption are confidential and may not be inspected except as provided in this title. . . . . (d) All records on file with the court or agency shall be retained permanently and sealed for 99 years after the date of the adoptee's birth. Sealed records and indices are not open to inspection by any person except as provided in this title. 15A V.S.A. § 6-102(a), (d). There are, however, major exceptions to this policy when access to records is sought by an adoptee who has attained the age of eighteen years. The extent of access for adult adoptees depends upon whether the person seeks nonidentifying information or identifying information. Identifying information is defined as information that might establish the current whereabouts of an adoptee, the adoptee's former parent or other family member, including full name, date and place of birth, and last known address. Id. § 1-101(10). The term nonidentifying information is not defined. Access is greatest for nonidentifying information. Section 6-104(b) provides: Upon request by [an adult adoptee], the court that heard the adoption petition, the agency that placed the adoptee for adoption, or other person who assisted in the adoption shall furnish a detailed summary of any relevant report or information contained in confidential reports in their possession about the adoptee, the adoptee's former parents and the adoptee's genetic history, including the information required by section 2-105 of this title. This report shall exclude identifying information concerning an individual who has not signed a waiver of confidentiality. Section 2-105(a) requires a parent or agency placing a child for adoption to provide to the prospective adopting parent a social and health history of the child and a social and health history of the child's parents and extended family. These histories are to contain only nonidentifying information. See id. § 2-105(a). To facilitate decisions on access to identifying information, the Act establishe an adoption registry in the Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The registry contains an index of the main identifying information: (1) adoptee's name at birth and after adoption, with date of birth; (2) names and addresses of former parents and adoptive parents; (3) date and court in which a consent or relinquishment was filed; (4) date and court in which the adoption petition was filed; (5) any agency involved in the adoption; and (6) the date and nature of the disposition of the petition. See id. § 6-103(a)(1). It also contains any consents to the disclosure of identifying information and the information specified in § 2-105, as described above. See id. § 6-103(a)(2), (3). Adult adoptees and others may seek identifying information from the registry. Until December 31, 1997, identifying information about an adoptee's former parent may be disclosed only with consent of that parent. See id. § 6-105(b). After December 31, 1997, the disclosure obligation depends upon when the adoption was finalized. For those finalized prior to July 1, 1986, disclosure requires consent. See id. § 6-105(b)(1). For later adoptions, disclosure must be made without the former parent's consent unless the parent has filed a request for nondisclosure. See id. § 6-105(b)(2). An adoptee who has access to identifying information may obtain a copy of the adoptee's original birth certificate. See id. § 6-107(a). For purposes of this opinion, we refer to §§ 6-104, 6-105 and 6-107 as the disclosure sections of the Vermont Adoption Act because these sections contain the Act's disclosure rights. The Act contains two authorizations of court actions to obtain disclosure of adoption information. The first authorizes a person denied access to nonidentifying information to which the individual is entitled to petition the probate court for relief. Id. § 6-104(e); see id. § 101(6) (court means probate court). The second more generally allows a person denied nonidentifying information, or an adoptee denied identifying information or a copy of a birth certificate, to file a petition in the probate court to obtain the information being sought. See id. § 6-112(a). In deciding whether to grant the petition, the court must consider a number of factors, including the reasons the information is sought and the expressed needs of the adoptee including the emotional and mental health needs of the adoptee. Id. § 6-112(b)(1), (5).