HB 333 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Adoption Records Access Amendments

HB 333 clarifies that adoption record access applies to all adoptions in Utah and allows birth parents (pre-existing parents) to petition a court to keep adoption records sealed after an adoptee turns 18. Adult adoptees (18+) can automatically access their original birth certificate, adoption report, findings of fact, and final decree without a court order. Birth parents may request a 10-year sealing extension of these records if they provide sworn evidence of reasonable fear of harm from the adoptee. The bill amends Utah Code § 81-13-103 and takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Mar 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's adoption records access laws to clarify that access rules apply to all adoptions and introduces a new mechanism for pre-existing parents to petition for sealing records. The changes allow adult adoptees to access specific documents without a court order while giving biological parents the option to seek a temporary seal based on safety concerns.

Scope change

The bill clarifies that adoption record access provisions apply to all adoptions, not just specific types, and adds a new eligibility pathway for pre-existing parents to request record sealing.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a provision allowing pre-existing parents to petition the court to seal adoption records for 10 years after the adoptee turns 18 if they can prove reasonable fear of harm.

REQUIREMENT

Requires pre-existing parents to file their petition before the adoptee turns 18 and to provide sworn affidavits detailing safety concerns.

Added a requirement that physical addresses of pre-existing parents must be redacted from documents accessible to adult adoptees.

SCOPE

Clarified that the adoption records access provisions apply to all adoptions.

TIMELINE

Established a 10-year sealing period for records requested by pre-existing parents, with the option to renew the petition every 10 years.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

27–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 29

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

20 Yea 2

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Not Considered [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor