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3/16/2021
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House OKs Fellela bill to provide public with information on mutual consent adoption registry
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 STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today gave its approval to legislation introduced by Rep. Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston) that would make it easier for adopted adult children and their birth parents and siblings to find each other through mutual consent.
The bill (2021-H 5092) would direct the Department of Health to provide information regarding the passive voluntary adoption reunion registry on the Department of Health’s website and in the Division of Vital Records.
“The state has long recognized that some adults who are adopted as children want to find their birth parents while others do not. The same goes for birth parents,” said Representative Fellela. “That’s why we created this registry — for mutual consent — for situations where both the biological parents and biological children or siblings may want to find each other.”
Under the provisions of the legislation, the Department of Health would be required to maintain a link on its website to information about how the registry works.
“With the popularity of DNA testing kits, more and more estranged family members are finding each other and building the relationships they were denied as children because of circumstances,” said Representative Fellela. “This legislation will help to make that journey of discovery an easier one for all involved.”
The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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