1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to adoption; creating a registry of qualified independent searchers; 
1.3 	requiring annual reports;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 259.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [259.90] POSTADOPTION SEARCH SERVICES.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Registry; establishment; purpose. The commissioner of human 
1.8 	services shall maintain a registry of qualified independent searchers to facilitate the 
1.9 	reunion of adult adopted persons with their birth parents. The purpose of the registry is to 
1.10 	maintain a list of qualified individuals who will make discreet, confidential contact with 
1.11 	members of an adoption triad seeking reunion.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Qualifications. Individuals eligible to be listed on the registry must have 
1.13 	the following minimum qualifications:
1.14 	(1) five years experience counseling members of the adoption triad;
1.15 	(2) five years of search experience; and
1.16 	(3) a completed background study free of any of the disqualifying events listed in 
1.17 	chapter 245C.
1.18 		Subd. 3.Placement on registry. (a) Individuals qualified to be named on the 
1.19 	registry must have on file with the commissioner a signed, sworn affidavit that the 
1.20 	individual:
1.21 	(1) will not disclose any information learned during the search process without a 
1.22 	signed release;
1.23 	(2) will follow all statutes and rules;
1.24 	(3) will have the capacity for confidential storage of all records;
2.1 	(4) will retain all records for three years from the date of most recent contact with 
2.2 	any individual contacted during the search process; and
2.3 	(5) will file an annual report with the commissioner.
2.4 	(b) If the commissioner receives three valid complaints in a 12-month period 
2.5 	regarding the searcher, the searcher's name must be removed from the registry.

2.6 	Sec. 2. [259.91] ANNUAL REPORT; DATABASE.
2.7 	(a) Each agency and independent searcher that provides postadoption search services 
2.8 	shall submit an annual report to the commissioner disclosing the following nonidentifying 
2.9 	information:
2.10 	(1) the number of clients served;
2.11 	(2) the outcome of each search;
2.12 	(3) the fee charged for each search;
2.13 	(4) the length of time to complete each search; and
2.14 	(5) a copy of the closure summary.
2.15 	(b) The commissioner shall generate an annual report on postadoption search 
2.16 	services that shall be posted on the commissioner's Web site. This report must include 
2.17 	the number of clients served, outcomes of searches, and fees charged by each agency 
2.18 	or independent searcher.