(a) Each authorized adoption registry shall ensure that the confidentiality of the records in the registry shall be maintained and may not be disclosed except in the manner authorized by the Family Code, Chapter 162.
(b) The administrator of any authorized adoption registry releases identifying information to registrants, who have not withdrawn their registrations and who have consented in writing to disclosure. Disclosure may include the registrant's information.
(c) If the registrant is a birth parent, is deceased at the time the match has been made, and consented to the postdeath disclosure of identity, information may be released provided that:
(1) each child of the deceased birth parent is an adult; or
(2) the surviving parent, guardian, managing conservator or legal custodian of each child has consented in writing to the release of information.
(d) If a match cannot be made because of the death of an adoptee, a birth parent or biological sibling who has not registered or who registered and did not agree to the postdeath disclosure, the Central Adoption Registry shall notify the affected registrant. If appropriate, the registry may disclose nonidentifying information concerning the cause of death, any underlying causes leading up to the cause of death and other non-identifying information about the deceased.
Source Note: The provisions of this §181.47 adopted to be effective March 4, 1999, 24 TexReg 1618; amended to be effective July 3, 2003, 28 TexReg 4904