LEGISLATIVE REPORT - NOVEMBER 5, 2002 I had planned to bring you a report for the CSGA meeting November 2, 2002, but when the meeting was cancelled, I took a few more days to try to do some checking. Since the close of the legislative session I have been ill and for the most part out of touch. I have contacted the Dept. of Health Services to check on the progress of their enactment of the mandates set out in SB1614. They are moving full speed ahead and believe they will have the new indexes ready for the January 1st dead line. The new index will run from 1905 to 2001. There will be additional and/or more updated information included. When the original CDs were done, new and additional information held by the Department was not included. With the current process it will include such editing corrections. Of course, the maiden names and the social security numbers will not be included. Presently, the Governor's executive order to cease the sale of the orginial CDs remains in effect. It would take an act of legislation to change that now. If you need to do an index search at the State level, you will be required to request a search and they will do it for you. Because the counties do not fall under the Governor's executive order, you may still make informational searches in the indexes at the county level. Remember that each county has their own procedure, therefore, you will be required to meet their criteria. But, if you need to make searches and know the county, it would be wise to move quickly. Once the new indexes are available, the counties will be required to use them. The major problem for the Dept. of Health will be to implement the new procedures for the issuance of birth and death certificates as mandated by SB247. It will require an entirely new procedure and new forms. But they are moving ahead quickly and hope not to have any delays. There was one big problem. In the knock-down-drag-out last minute fight on SB1614, I totally missed inserted language in SB 247. That language requires that on the secondary certificates issued and indicating 'not to be used for identification' the maiden names and social security numbers will be redacted. While I encouraged the passage of this bill to help ensure privacy protection, I was unaware that this language was included. If you can meet the requirements to show relationship, then you can purchase a complete copy of the birth and death indexes which will include all the information. I know there are additional questions and I still have queries out, looking for answers, if there is something specific, please feel free to contact me. To follow State Legislation, check the State Web site at http://www.sen.ca.gov> To be added to my Network, send your name, name of your organization, and E-mail address, to me indicating you wish to be added to the Legislative Network, <[email protected]>.---5 November 2002, CSGA Legislative Network Coordinator, Iris Carter Jones. [Permission granted to reprint Legislative reports. Please cite your source.]