On July 1, people born during Indiana’s closed adoption records period could soon have access to information about their birth parents and medical histories. As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Barbara Brosher reports, that’s when a new state law opening the previously-closed records goes into effect.

The state sealed most adoption records between 1941 and 1993. That makes it hard for those given up for adoption during that time to access important information, like their original birth certificates. They often have to hire a lawyer and go through a process that can take years – and lots of money.

But that will change July 1, when a law legislators passed in 2016 goes into effect.

It gives adoptees access to previously closed records.

Indiana Adoptee Network president Pam Kroskie says any information is valuable to those who know nothing about their births.

“You know, where everyone else knew ‘Oh, well, I was born in, you know, born in Marion County General, or I was born in, you know, Bloomington Hospital’ or whatever.  To us, that’s everything.”

The law does give birth mothers some options to maintain their privacy. They can contact the state and stipulate if they want any contact with their child.