Someone on the Ballard-L list received the following response to a query
about the issue from bsoukup(a)legis.state.ia.us (Soukup, Betty)
Thank you for your interest in the proposed change in the procedure
relating to copies of birth records. This initiative will be part of the
Department of Public Health's legislative package for the 2000 session.
I have spoken with officials in the Department of Public Health to hear
their rationale for this change. They have indicated that under current
law anyone can walk into a county courthouse and look at birth records.
Their concern stems, not from wanting to restrict access to such records,
but from a history of abuse by those seeking to establish false identities.
I understand your concern, but there is a specific problem the
Department is trying to address and the Legislature will have to evaluate
the arguments.
I am unsure how to address this issue, but the Department has indicated
they are willing to discuss alternatives.
Thank you again for sharing your views with me. Please feel free to
contact me with any additional information or comments.
Sincerely,
Betty Soukup
State Senator