H.R. 10 Records Access; now S.2845

UPDATE! The latest from Rootsweb Review:

New Bill Will Close Records to Genealogists
HR10, which was mentioned in the 13 October issue of RootsWeb Review, has passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives and is now part of S.2845. The amendments suggested by David Rencher in his letter to the bill's sponsor, Congressman J. Dennis Hastert, were NOT incorporated into this legislation. Thus, the terms of HR10 will now be considered by the Senate, as part of S.2845.

If S.2845 becomes law, as now written, family historians will face some real challenges in attempts to obtain birth records, even on long-deceased individuals. Specifically, what genealogists need to do issuggest to their lawmakers the addition of Sec. 3061(b)(1)(A)(iii) that
would read: "who is alive on the date that access to their birth certificate is requested."

This addition would clarify that the legislation (soon to be law) applies ONLY to birth certificates of CURRENTLY LIVING PERSONS. If you do not know your U.S. Senator's e-mail address, you can find it at http://www.senate.gov/

This bill can be found online at http://thomas.loc.gov/
Put in S.2845 (in the bill number window) and then select item No. 3; and go to Subtitle B--Identity Management Security; Chapter 2--Improved Security for Birth Certificates.

Latest insanity using the excuse of "Homeland Security":

H.R. 10 Records Access. This is an issue for the genealogical community, and anyone else who needs access to vital records in their research. More information: http://www.rootdig.com/hr10.html

There is an election campaign going on, but the Congress is still churning out bad laws. Pay attention! To find the email address for your Members of Congress, see: http://www.congress.org/. Be aware that a hand-written and mailed letter carries much more weight than an email does. Addresses and phone numbers of Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm and Representatives: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

Get involved!


Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation. - Oscar Wilde