-----Original Message----- From: intipton-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:intipton-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Carol Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 9:58 PM To: INCARROL@rootsweb.com; IN-WEST-CENTRAL@rootsweb.com; INTIPTON@rootsweb.com; INELKHAR@rootsweb.com Subject: [INTIPTON] HELP FOR GENEALOGISTS This came from another Ohio Mailing List. I feel it should be read by all on these lists as it may eventually prohibit us from doing our research effectively. Hello Folks, Much is going on with the fight for access to Public records. We have already mentioned CALIFORNIA'S AB 130, where the Mother's Maiden name cannot be given with data files and Internet Indices. Correa and Hancock voted No. The following were absent, astaining or not voting: Ashburn, Calderon, DeSaulnier, Harman, Padilla and Wright. NOW, NOW is the time to write, call or Fax to: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number ) Or go to: http://govnews.ca.gov/govmail/webmail.php to send a E-mail. If you do not take a minute to notify Governor Schwarzenegger of our needs for this to *be vetoed*, we all will be sorry in the years to come. The other biggie is the closing of the MICHIGAN State Library. Shirley Hodges reminds us to tell all Representatives and Senators that funding needs to keep the entire Library as it is now and keep it in the Library building that was built for that purpose. The final budget has to be approved by *Sept. 30.* You can sign a petition by going to: http://www.petitiononline.com/RPAC2009/petition.html NOW IS THE TIME!!!! Good News: The Adams County, Nebraska Historical Society wanted the names of people buried in the cemetery attached to the Hastings Regional Center, a mental institution. They were denied access by the records custodian. The Historical Society said that the information constituted death records http://www.rcfp.org/news/mag/33-1/unearthing_an_unusual_privacy_battle_1 9.html>, not medical records that might be covered by HIPAA, federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The high court in Nebraska agreed. The Nebraska open records law provides that medical records "other than records of births and deaths" may be withheld from the public. The court found that the cemetery information fell into the death-record category because it was even more limited than what is released to the public on an actual death certificate. Furthermore, the data sought did not describe the diagnosis or treatment of the individuals at the facility -- just their names and locations of burial. The court held that "HIPAA, does not bar release of the information" and, in fact, "provides for release of information when required by state law." As the records here were death records under Nebraska law, the court said, they must be released! So dear genealogists*, NOW IS THE TIME TO BE HEARD!!!* Liz Myers -- > "Have a great day and a better tomorrow." > Brian Smith, News-Enterprise ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INTIPTON-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message