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Parent information

As an adoptee, Rep. Lynne Osterman (R-New Hope) has had a very difficult time tracking down important medical information from her birth parents. She told the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee March 17 that a lack of uniform reporting requirements compound the problem.

The committee approved a bill (HF653), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Olsen (R-Brooklyn Park), which would help rectify the problem by requiring agencies specializing in gathering such information to use a common form. The questionnaire, developed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, asks birth parents for detailed information about their medical and social histories.

Any identifying information about the birth parents is kept confidential under Minnesota law.

The bill now goes to the House Civil Law Committee.

A companion bill (SF727), sponsored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), awaits action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.