(a)  Except as provided in this chapter, if a birth parent or an adoptee fails to file an affidavit with the registry for any reason, including disability, but excluding death, identifying information shall not be disclosed to those relevant persons who do register. No registration shall be accepted unless the registry is satisfied as to the identity of the registrants.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-8

  • Adoptee: means a person who has been adopted in the state of Rhode Island. See Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-1
  • Adoptive parent: means an adult who has become a parent of a child through adoption. See Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-1
  • Adult: means a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older. See Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-1
  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Birth parent: is:

    (i)  The person who is legally presumed under the laws of this state to be the father or mother of genetic origin of a child; and

    (ii)  A putative father of the child if the birth mother alleges he is the father and the putative father, by written affidavit at any time or by surrender and release executed within one year of the relinquishment of the child by the birth mother or termination of parental rights of the birth mother, acknowledges being the child's biological father. See Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-1

  • Registry: is a passive voluntary adoption reunion registry as established under this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 15-7.2-1

(b)  In the event of the death of the adoptee, the adoptive parent or parents of the deceased adoptee may register, may be considered the necessary registrant in lieu of the deceased adoptee, and identifying information may be disclosed to the relevant persons in the event of a verified match.

(c)  In the event of the death of the birth parent or birth parents, the parent or adult sibling of a deceased birth parent may register, may be considered the necessary registrant in lieu of the deceased birth parent, and identifying information may be disclosed to the relevant persons in the event of a verified match.

History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 388, § 1.