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Date: Thu, 06 May 1999 15:08:42 -0500
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To: TXJean(a)aol.com
Subject: Re: HB 836
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I'm not sure. They are working on changing the bill. I think
with changes we will have the indexes we have always had. John
Miller has agreed to keep us informed. Here is a copy of the
letter I got on it:
Sandy
Subject:
Clarification/Update on HB 836 Vital Records
Date:
Tue, 04 May 1999 13:48:25 -0500
From:
Shannon Clyde <shannonc(a)wwclyde.com>
To:
GIBSON-L(a)rootsweb.com, TXBRAZOS-L-request(a)rootsweb.com,
TX-Rooters(a)genexchange.com,
GenExchange-L(a)genexchange.com,
GERMAN-TEXAN-L(a)rootsweb.com,
TX-Landmark-L(a)rootsweb.com
Dear folks,
I hope I can clarify and update you on House Bill 836 re. Vital
Records in Texas, specifically the controversy about the Summary
Index. Feel free to drop me a line for more information or to
clarify anything in this mail.
The Problem:
Birth and Death Records in Texas are sealed for 50 and 25 years
respectively. This includes the General Index which includes
parental data. It is not supposed to include the Summary Index
which includes Name, Date, Place. Some local clerks were not
aware of this distinction, or under concerns for privacy, closed
all Birth and Death information, including the Summary Index
until they met the 25/50 rule and could be opened.
House Bill 836 authored by the honorable Tracy O. King of
Uvalde, Texas was created to clarify the appropriate disclosure
of the Summary Index. While in committee, HB836 was ammended to
distinguish between the General Index and the Summary Index. An
error appears to have been made that instead of clarifying the
difference, closed all index information with the records, tying
them to the 25/50 year rule.
The General Index should remain tied to the actual record. This
is
reinforced by existing legistlature (see Administration Code
Chapter
1871.10
http://www.sos.state.tx.us ). This protects against
misuse and
primarily protects the parents of adopted children who wish to
remain
annonymous.
Call To Action:
Genealogists and others who need public access to the summary
index should voice their opinion with the chairperson of the
Senate Human Services, Honorable Ms. Judith Zaffirini and the
author of the bill, Honorable Tracy O. King. The persons
handling this legislation in their offices are:
For Zaffirini: Sophia - phone:512-463-0121
For King: Amy - phone 512-463-0742
Please reinforce that we must keep the Summary Index open to the
public.
Update:
I spoke with Sophia in the office of the Honorable Ms.
Zaffirini. Sophia
explained that they have decided to postpone public hearing
until next week so that they have time to fix the error in the
ammendement.
I hope this helps.
regards,
Shannon Clyde
http://wwclyde.com/gibsonfamily
http://wwclyde.com/clydefamily
http://wwclyde.com/wealesfamily
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