Minnesota Session Laws - 2007, Regular Session

CHAPTER 49--S.F.No. 358

An act

relating to adoption; providing assistance to genetic siblings;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.83, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.83, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Genetic siblings. new text end

new text begin (a) A person who is at least 19 years old who was adopted or, because of a termination of parental rights, was committed to the guardianship of the commissioner of human services, whether adopted or not, must upon request be advised of other siblings who were adopted or who were committed to the guardianship of the commissioner of human services and not adopted. new text end

new text begin (b) Assistance must be provided by the county or placing agency of the person requesting information to the extent that information is available in the existing records at the Department of Human Services. If the sibling received services from another agency, the agencies must share necessary information in order to locate the other siblings and to offer services, as requested. Upon the determination that parental rights with respect to another sibling were terminated, identifying information and contact must be provided only upon mutual consent. A reasonable fee may be imposed by the county or placing agency. new text end

Presented to the governor May 4, 2007

Signed by the governor May 8, 2007, 4:05 p.m.