This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/TZ.2ADE/4394 Message Board Post: Hello George has been trying to update us all on the status of HB5628 and the post won't stick. He sent this to me so that I could share his note with you all: -------------------------------------------- Subj: Status of HB5628 Date: Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:04:54 PM From: GW GE Hoyt To: [email protected] Dear Fairfield County Friends, As some of you may know, a Committee of the CT Legislature was listening to arguments this month to determine if a change should be made which could have restricted genealogists from obtaining B/M/D information, and would have imposed a heavier workload upon all of the CT Town Clerks. It was a part of Public Health Bill HB5628 and it appears to have been resolved in our favor. Tom Howard, Coordinator for the Genealogical Coalition had this to say today to Fred Hart (CT Ancestry Vice President) and myself: George Hoyt --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Fred and George: You might want to include the following announcement to your Fairfield County folks. Dear members of the genealogical community: The Public Health Committee met on Thursday March 18th to review and vote on HB 5628. The bill was amended to delete sections 5 and 6 as we requested. The amendment passed. The bill then passed as amended. The official count of the vote was 22 in favor and one absent and not voting. A dozen genealogists gave written testimony at the public hearing March 11 against the bill as proposed by Connecticut Public Health Department. When asked by a committee member if genealogists were culpable in the two cases of identity theft that prompted this radical 'solution' the representative said "no evidence but they could someday". Thirty years of trusted and honorable service doesn't mean anything to them. Well done to those who sent letters and hundreds of e-mails. They were very effective. The bill will now go to the House and the Senate where it will likely pass. Our only concern is the sneak attack that might add amendments on the floor of either house. My 'gut' says because we have built awareness and PH Committee support for our position (removing sections 5 and 6 a position which the CT Town Clerks Association endorsed by the way) an amendment is not likely but ... we must be vigilant. Keep your home Representatives and Senators aware of your concern about HB 5628. Ask them not to allow any tampering with HB 5628 on the floor of either house especially on the question of genealogists access to vital records. The session will end May 5, 2004. We cannot let down our guard until then. Tom Howard, Coordinator, Genealogical Coalition --------------------------------- Thank you for sending us the update, George! Maureen Mead [email protected] The USGenWeb Project, Fairfield Co. CT: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctfairfi