This latest legislative watch update is in regards to obtaining vital records from the California Dept of Health Services. ----- Original Message ----- Callifornia DHS UPDATE: Department of Health Services Public Count will be closed as of November 25, 2003 due to Budget Cuts. Officially, last Friday, the administrative order was announced that the Counter will be closed to walk-in applications for vital records and six Department employees will be reassigned. Budget 'cuts to the bone' are cited as the reason the Department of Health Services management has decided that the Public Counter should be closed, in spite of the fact that this is one of the operations that brings revenue into the Department. The reasons, we can all speculate upon, but the fact is that this move will not only affect genealogist and researchers, but the public in general. This includes those who need to obtain birth certificates for children beginning school, college registration, and passports. The one light at the end of the tunnel is that most California County offices will continue to be open for walk-in requests for birth, death, marriage, divorce documents. The Department states that the turn-around time will be four weeks. What, if anything, can be done about this remains to be seen. It is hopeful that with the change of Administration in the Governor's office and new appointees, we may see changes in policy. At this point we can only wait and see. We will continue to monitor the situation. If and when efforts on our part could make a difference, I will let you know. I will stay on top of this problem. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE Has Moved to a New Location: The new mailing address for the Dept. of Health Service, Office of Vital Records, M.S. 5103, P. O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 and it is located at 1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1110 - First Floor. For information and order forms see <http/www.dhs.gov.ca>. ---November 15, 2003 Iris Carter Jones, Legislative Coordinator Genealogical & Historical Council of Sacramento Valley ****************************************************************** Join us for "A Golden Prospect" National Genealogical Society Conference in the States Sacramento, California 19-22 May 2004 www.sacvalleygenes.org ******************************************************************