All Roll Calls
Yes: 189 • No: 7
IllinoisSB0104104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
ADOPT-CONFIDENTIAL INTERMED
Sponsored By: Sara Feigenholtz (Democratic)
Became Law
assignmentsjudiciaryjudiciary - civil
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
45-day deadline for agency responses
When a confidential intermediary asks an adoption agency for required identifying details or authorized medical history, the agency must respond within 45 days. If a court finds noncompliance, the agency must reimburse the petitioner’s intermediary payments and pay a $1,000 penalty to DCFS. After the order, the agency owes $500 per day until it complies. DCFS uses these penalties to help pay petitioners’ fees and reports deposits and spending twice a year.
Stronger privacy rules and penalties
Intermediaries must take an oath to keep information private and share it only as the law allows. Any identifying data they collect is used only to arrange contact and must be returned to the court when the case closes. If a sought person is deceased, the intermediary must file the death certificate with the court and, for a birth parent, send it to the Registry when available. Improper identity disclosure can lead to actual damages plus at least $10,000 in punitive damages and up to $2,000 in Department fines; violations may also result in contempt. People acting in good faith under these rules, including judges and intermediaries, are immune from other liability.
Limits on repeat searches and timing
Intermediaries must stop a search if a Denial of Information Exchange, Option E, or a Section 18.3 statement is on file. A new search can start only after 5 years from that filing. If the birth parent was the target of a past State intermediary search, you must wait 10 years after that search closed. After two prior State searches for the same birth parent, no new search is allowed unless a court orders it.
Birth parents get registry notice and help
Agencies and courts must tell any birth parent who surrenders a child about the Illinois Adoption Registry and the confidential intermediary program. They must get the parent's written confirmation and explain that sharing names or contact usually requires the adopted or surrendered person to be 21 or older, except as the law allows. If a birth parent, birth sibling, adopted or surrendered person, adoptive parent, or guardian asks for identifying or medical information, they must be told about the Registry and, on request, helped to record their name with it.
Court appointment, training, and no upfront fees
When you file a petition that states whether you seek medical information, identifying information, or contact, the court must appoint a confidential intermediary and authorize searches of the listed records. You cannot be charged or required to prepay the intermediary’s fees to get an appointment. Courts may appoint only intermediaries certified by DCFS after training that covers privacy laws.
Consent-based contact and identity sharing
When both an adopted or surrendered person and a birth parent or birth sibling sign written consent, the organization holding those forms must give identifying information to the consenting adults. The law does not allow sharing identifying information with birth siblings under 21. When an intermediary contacts a sought relative, that person may refuse, share only a medical form, communicate anonymously, or agree to direct contact. The intermediary must get written consent from both sides before sharing names or setting up direct contact.
What records intermediaries can access
Certified intermediaries can use vital records and court or adoption‑agency files to find and identify parties. They may also access closed child‑welfare records in State Central Storage to get non‑identifying details and, for adult adoptees and certain adoptive parents, any available medical history from birth through adoption. Agencies must limit shared data to full name, date and place of birth, last known address, last known phone number, and any Section 18.3 statement; with written authorization from an eligible petitioner, the agency must share available medical history. Intermediaries cannot see HIPAA‑protected health data or medical, financial, credit, banking, home‑study, or attorney files without proper written consent.
Who can ask for intermediary help
Adults who were adopted or surrendered (21+), adoptive parents or guardians of those under 21, birth parents of adults 21+, certain adult relatives and representatives, and other listed family members may petition any Illinois county court to appoint a confidential intermediary. Adult birth siblings can be blocked if a birth parent chose Option E or filed a Denial of Information Exchange and is alive. Former youth in care who were adopted or surrendered may petition without registering; ages 18–21 may seek siblings or birth relatives, and those over 18 may seek former foster parents or former foster siblings. Licensed child welfare agencies must require an Illinois Adoption Registry Application before starting a post‑adoption search, with exceptions for these former youth in care searches.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Sara Feigenholtz
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Ann M. Williams
Democratic • House
Li Arellano, Jr.
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/20/2025
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 110 • No: 3
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee;
Yes: 19 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 51 • No: 4
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass as Amended Judiciary;
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0069
8/1/2025SenateEffective Date January 1, 2026
8/1/2025SenateGovernor Approved
8/1/2025SenateSent to the Governor
6/18/2025SenatePassed Both Houses
5/20/2025SenateThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 110-003-000
5/20/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/16/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
5/16/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/23/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 019-000-000
4/23/2025HouseAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
4/17/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
4/9/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/9/2025HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
4/9/2025HouseArrived in House
4/9/2025HouseThird Reading - Passed; 051-004-000
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
4/4/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025
3/20/2025SenateSecond Reading
3/20/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025
3/19/2025SenateDo Pass as Amended Judiciary; 009-000-000
3/19/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
3/19/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary
3/12/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1