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HR 3237 105th Congress House Families Administrative fees Adopted children Adoption Child health Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Confidential communications Crime and Law Enforcement Data banks Fines (Penalties) Government Operations and Politics Government publicity Health Law Medical records Parent and child Right of privacy Science, Technology, Communications

To establish a national registry from which adopted children may obtain medical information voluntarily provided by their birth parents.

Introduced: February 12, 1998 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 20, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Feb 12, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Feb 12, 1998
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national registry to which birth parents of an adopted child may voluntarily provide medical information about themselves for release to the adopted child upon the child's request. Prohibits the release of identifying information about a birth parent to the adopted child unless the parent and child have signed a notarized statement of consent.

Mandates: (1) the confidentiality of all national registry information; and (2) the written informed consent of the individual before release of any registry information.

Proscribes any national registry attempt to contact an individual for the purpose of facilitating a reunion.

Mandates that the registry: (1) be a centralized nationwide data repository; and (2) operate independently of any other data system maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Authorizes the Secretary to charge fees for services provided under this Act.

Subjects violators of this Act to specified criminal penalties.

Declares that this Act does not preempt any State or local law concerning adoption and the confidentiality of its sealed adoption record policy.

What's happening now February 20, 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3237: To establish a national registry from which adopted children may obtain medical information voluntarily provided by their birth parents.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3237/
MLA
"H.R. 3237: To establish a national registry from which adopted children may obtain medical information voluntarily provided by their birth parents.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3237/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3237, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3237/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3237: To establish a national registry from which adopted children may obtain medical information voluntarily provided by their birth parents.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3237/)
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