The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agency records." All information collected by an agency relating to a birth family, an adoptive family and an adoptee.

"Authorization form." A form provided by the department on which an adoptee, an adoptive parent or a birth relative can authorize or prohibit the release of identifying information pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.

"Authorized representative." An individual who is appointed to conduct a search under this chapter and who has completed a standardized training program as required by the department under this chapter.

"Court records." All petitions, exhibits, reports, notes of testimony, decrees and other papers pertaining to a proceeding under this chapter or former statutes relating to adoption.

"Department." The Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth.

"Medical history information." Medical records and other information concerning an adoptee or an adoptee's birth family that is relevant to the present or future health care or medical treatment of the adoptee or the adoptee's birth family. The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Otherwise confidential or privileged information, if identifying information has been removed under section 2925 (relating to providing information from registry).

(2) Information about the birth parents of a child that may concern a potential hereditary or congenital medical problem.

"Noncertified copy of original birth record." A summary of original birth record, similar in form to a certified copy of an original birth record and consisting of only the names and ages of the birth parents, the date and county of the birth of the child and the name given to the child at birth.

"Social history information." The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Information about the adoptee and birth relatives of the adoptee, including economic, cultural and ethnic information.

(2) A developmental history of the adoptee, including the circumstances at birth, early development and subsequent age-appropriate task development.

(3) The social experiences of the adoptee, including abuse and neglect, out-of-home care and patterns of interpersonal relationships.

(4) The educational experiences of the adoptee, including the name of schools attended and dates of enrollment, academic performance, extracurricular activities and special interests.

(5) The current functioning of the adoptee, including behavioral patterns and relationships.

(6) The circumstances surrounding the adoption.

"Summary of original birth record." (Deleted by amendment).

(Nov. 3, 2016, P.L.993, No.127, eff. imd.)

2016 Amendment. Act 127 added the def. of "noncertified copy of original birth record" and deleted the def. of "summary of original birth record."

References in Text. The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.