OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ¯ (860) 240-0200

http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa

sSB-4

AN ACT PROVIDING ADULT ADOPTED PERSONS WITH ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN THEIR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

This bill allows a person whose adoption is finalized on and after 10/1/06 to access his or her original birth certificate, as well as a contact preference form if provided by a birth parent, once he or she turns eighteen. Currently, access to the original birth certificate is only possible after seeking a court order or consent of the biological parents.

The Department of Public Health will incur an annual cost of approximately $750 to produce, distribute and store contract preference forms.

Other impacts upon the State Registrar of Vital Statistics would not be felt for many years. As those seeking information identifying their biological parents would predominantly be those adopted at a very young age, a noticeable workload increase would first be experienced some 15 -17 years in the future. Demand for services would progressively grow, as time elapses and more adopted persons attain eighteen years of age. Resulting costs would be associated with clerical support needed to respond to requests for documents, search archives and produce certified copies.

A minimal future revenue gain would result to the extent that the DPH would collect a $15 fee for certified copies of birth certificates from additional individuals.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.