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H 244

An Act relative to the family medical history of adopted children

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Donato and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill requiring adoption agencies to collect and maintain biological family medical histories for adoptive families' healthcare access.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 244

Legislative bill overview

H 244 requires adoption agencies and intermediaries in Massachusetts to collect and maintain comprehensive family medical history information from biological parents and make it available to adoptive families. The bill establishes procedures for obtaining, documenting, and updating this health information throughout the adoption process and afterwards.

Why is this important

Adopted individuals often lack access to family medical history, which is critical for personal health management and identifying genetic predispositions to conditions like heart disease, cancer, and mental illness. This bill addresses a practical healthcare gap by ensuring adoptive families have medical context that non-adopted families typically possess naturally.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Biological parents may be uncomfortable disclosing detailed medical histories or having their information retained indefinitely by adoption agencies
  • Enforcement and compliance: The bill may create administrative burden on adoption agencies, particularly smaller or non-profit organizations, to collect and maintain accurate records
  • Access limitations: Biological parents may be unwilling or unavailable to participate, potentially limiting the law's practical effectiveness in many cases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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