Sec. 17. (a) If, upon searching the death certificates under section 16 of this chapter, the state registrar finds that an adoptee or a birth parent is deceased, the state registrar shall:

(1) inform the individual requesting the release of the identifying information under section 2 of this chapter of the death; and

(2) release the identifying information if additional consent is not required by this chapter.

     (b) The state registrar may not release identifying information under subsection (a) concerning:

(1) a birth parent or adoptee if additional consent is required by this chapter; or

(2) a birth parent if a contact preference form submitted by the birth parent that evidences the birth parent’s lack of consent to the release of identifying information specifically states that the contact preference form remains in effect after the birth parent’s death.

As added by P.L.191-2011, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.3-2016, SEC.25.