IC 31-19-19
    Chapter 19. Confidentiality Requirements for Adoption Historyand Other Adoption Records

IC 31-19-19-0.5
Storing and maintaining adoption records or other adoptioninformation
    Sec. 0.5. (a) This section does not apply to a confidentialintermediary appointed under IC 31-19-24.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) or (d), a person that isrequired to store, maintain, or release adoption records or otheradoption information under IC 31-19-12-5, IC 31-19-17, IC 31-19-18,this chapter, or IC 31-19-20 through IC 31-19-25 shall store andmaintain the adoption records or other adoption information for atleast ninety-nine (99) years after the date the adoption was filed.Unless otherwise provided by law, the adoption records or otheradoption information may be stored and maintained in an electronicor other format, including microfiche, microfilm, or a digital format.
    (c) A person who transfers adoption records or other adoptioninformation to the state registrar or a transferee agency in accordancewith IC 31-19-12-5 is not required to comply with the storage ormaintenance requirements of subsection (b).
    (d) A person, including a court, who obtains custody of orjurisdiction over adoption records or other adoption informationfollowing the dissolution, sale, transfer, closure, relocation, or deathof a person shall transfer the records or other information to the stateregistrar or a transferee agency in accordance with IC 31-19-12-5,unless the person wishes to store and maintain the records inaccordance with subsection (b).
As added by P.L.42-2009, SEC.2.

IC 31-19-19-1
Court files and records
    Sec. 1. (a) The following items are confidential:
        (1) A petition for adoption.
        (2) Reports of the investigation made under IC 31-19-8-5 (orIC 31-3-1-4 before its repeal).
        (3) All other papers filed in connection with a petition foradoption.
        (4) The record of evidence of the hearing.
        (5) The decree made and entered by the court, including decreesin foreign adoptions filed under IC 31-19-28 (or IC 31-3-1-10before its repeal).
    (b) The files and records of the court pertaining to the adoptionproceedings:
        (1) shall be kept in the custody of the clerk of the court; and
        (2) are not open to inspection, except as provided inIC 31-19-13-2(2).
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.
IC 31-19-19-2
Agency files and records
    Sec. 2. (a) All files and records pertaining to the adoptionproceedings in:
        (1) the county office of family and children;
        (2) the department; or
        (3) any of the licensed child placing agencies;
are confidential and open to inspection only as provided inIC 31-19-13-2(2), IC 31-19-17, or IC 31-19-25.
    (b) The files and records described in subsection (a), includinginvestigation records under IC 31-19-8-5 (or IC 31-3-1-4 before itsrepeal):
        (1) are open to the inspection of the court hearing the petitionfor adoption; and
        (2) on order of the court, may be:
            (A) introduced into evidence; and
            (B) made a part of the record;
        in the adoption proceeding.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.197-1997,SEC.25; P.L.100-2005, SEC.6; P.L.145-2006, SEC.254.

IC 31-19-19-3
Adoption history information
    Sec. 3. Notwithstanding any other law, the information located inthe adoption history may not be disclosed under:
        (1) IC 5-14-3; or
        (2) any freedom of information:
            (A) legislation;
            (B) rules; or
            (C) practice.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.

IC 31-19-19-4
Confidentiality of adoption papers, records, and information;disclosure procedures
    Sec. 4. All papers, records, and information pertaining to theadoption, whether part of:
        (1) the permanent record of the court; or
        (2) a file in:
            (A) the division of vital records;
            (B) the department or county office of family and children;
            (C) a licensed child placing agency; or
            (D) a professional health care provider (as defined inIC 34-6-2-117);
are confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance withIC 31-19-17, this chapter, or IC 31-19-25.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-1998, SEC.159;P.L.100-2005, SEC.7; P.L.145-2006, SEC.255.

IC 31-19-19-5 Disclosure of confidential information; offense; discharge frompublic office
    Sec. 5. (a) An employer or any person administering adoptionrecords who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally:
        (1) discloses any confidential information relating to anyadoption except as provided in:
            (A) this chapter or IC 31-19-20 through IC 31-19-24; or
            (B) IC 31-19-25; or
        (2) allows an employee to disclose any confidential informationrelating to any adoption except as provided in this chapter;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
    (b) If a public employee commits a violation described insubsection (a), the violation is cause for discharge.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.