Hello, I sent an email out to this list about a week or so ago about attempting to get an amendment to last year's SB 1614 (Speirs) that will limit access to vital records in California beginning January 1, 2002. I have gotten some good responses and offers of assistance to try to get some modifications to the upcoming limitations. We have an attorney willing to work Pro Bono with the mechanics of the language for an amendment, and will be conferring on that on January 7th. Those of us working on the foundation of this amendment are not trying to overturn SB 1614 altogether, as we just don't feel that will be successful. We are trying to work with the framework and intent of SB 1614, but not to the severity of it. We are presently planning to exempt birth and death records of a certain age. For example, 80 years on birth records and 50 years on death records. (We haven't concluded the exact age of the exemptions we'll request.) We would like to hear from others as to suggestions relative to exemptions of records that may be more fully and readily accessible AND vitals indices that will be permissible for online access. Please send them to me at ssilver1951@jps.net and I will compile the responses for the group. If anyone else has begun to work on a project of this type, we would like to know that also. Perhaps there is a way to work together toward something better than SB 1614 has left us with. Sincerest thanks, Sue Silver, President El Dorado County Pioneer Cemeteries Commission (a non-profit corporation)