Great news in reference to getting better access to older Pennsylvania state birth and death certificates: Vital Records Bill SB-361 was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania State General Assembly on December 6th and now goes to Governor Corbett's desk where he has 10 days to either sign or veto the bill. We cannot assume that he will sign it. Visits, phone calls, letters to his office are the most effective, but even a one paragraph email is better than nothing. Hearing from organizations and individuals (including out of state residents) could prove important in making sure Governor Corbett not only signs SB-361 into law but does all he can to see that the records are made available online. This is discussed in detail in the December 6th, 2011 article under The Latest News section of our website: http://users.rcn.com/timarg/PaHR-Access.htm (includes contact information and a sample letter for this bill to the Governor). As a reminder Vital Records Bill SB-361 is simple in that it just makes death certificates over 50 years old and birth certificates over 105 years old in Pennsylvania open records. It also requires the records be handed over to the Pennsylvania State Archives. This will cost the Commonwealth nothing to implement. Once the bill becomes law it would be then possible to have the records online. Without this change in the law the records will remain very restricted forever. Thank you for all your help.