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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 4§ 8909 Child Medical Disclosure Report

§ 8909 Child Medical Disclosure Report

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8909 Child Medical Disclosure Report

Key Takeaways

  • •Before adopting a child, the agency must give the new parents a written report about the child’s health and, if possible, the health of the child’s birth parents.
  • •The report must include all known medical, psychological, and school information about the child, as well as details about their growth and family life.
  • •Birth parents can give a blood sample, but if they don’t, the adoption can still happen. The sample is stored for 30 years in case DNA testing is needed later.
  • •The blood sample and DNA test results are kept private—no one’s identity is shared.

Example

A couple wants to adopt a baby. The agency gives them a report saying the baby was born healthy but has a small heart problem that needs check-ups. The report also says the birth mom had asthma as a kid.

The couple reads the report and signs that they got it. Even if the birth parents didn’t give a blood sample, the adoption can still go ahead. Later, if the child gets sick and needs DNA tests, the stored blood sample can help doctors, but no one will know who the birth parents are.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8909 Child Medical Disclosure Report

(a) An agency may not place a child for adoption unless a written report on the child’s medical background and, if available, the medical background of the child’s biological parents so far as ascertainable, has been submitted to the prospective adoptive parents and they have acknowledged in writing the receipt of the report. (b) The report on the child’s background shall contain all known diagnostic information, including current medical reports on the child, psychological evaluations, and scholastic information, as well as all known information regarding the child’s developmental history and family life. (c) (1) The biological parents may provide a blood sample at a clinic or hospital approved by the State Department of Health Services. The biological parents’ failure to provide a blood sample shall not affect the adoption of the child. (2) The blood sample shall be stored at a laboratory under contract with the State Department of Health Services for a period of 30 years following the adoption of the child. (3) The purpose of the stored sample of blood is to provide a blood sample from which DNA testing can be done at a later date after entry of the order of adoption at the request of the adoptive parents or the adopted child. The cost of drawing and storing the blood samples shall be paid for by a separate fee in addition to any fee required under Section 8907. The amount of this additional fee shall be based on the cost of drawing and storing the blood samples but at no time shall the additional fee be more than one hundred dollars ($100). (d) (1) The blood sample shall be stored and released in such a manner as to not identify any party to the adoption. (2) Any results of the DNA testing shall be stored and released in such a manner as to not identify any party to the adoption. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1053, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

adoptioninformationhealthmedicalcontractreleasehospitalport

Related Statutes

  • § 8706 Adoption Medical Background Disclosure
  • § 8817 Adoption Medical Background Report
  • § 8702 Birth Parent Health Disclosure
  • § 8908 Criminal Background Checks
  • § 3011 Child Custody Best Interests

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 8909.
View Official Source