Bill > H244

This bill introduces new provisions to Massachusetts law regarding family medical history for adopted children. The bill defines a "placement agency" as any department, organization, or institution responsible for placing children in adoption. It requires placement agencies that receive written consent for adoption from a biological parent to provide an anonymous family medical history form, which the biological parent is encouraged (but not required) to complete. The form should include known genetic predispositions, health conditions of the parent, and health conditions of the parent's relatives within two degrees of biological relation. When a child is adopted, the placement agency must provide this anonymous medical history form to the adoptive parents, with strict guidelines to protect the biological parents' identity - no information in the form can identify or potentially lead to identifying the biological parents or their location. Importantly, prospective adoptive parents cannot access this medical history form before the adoption is finalized. The legislation is named "Patricia and Francesca's Law" and aims to provide adoptive families with important health information while maintaining the privacy of biological parents.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H244