Hello,
I know that this is not specific to Indiana genealogy. I apologize for
being slightly off-topic. However, I know that many of us with Indiana
ancestry have roots in Ohio as well. If any of you could help in this
matter, this particular Buckeye who has Hoosier ancestors (including my
Skinner family in Jay County) would be very appreciative.
Recently, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 95 (the state
budget bill). Included in sections 3705.23 and 3705.24 is language that would:
-- eliminate uncertified copies of vital records
-- add a $5 surcharge to what is already charged for a certified copy
(raising the total cost of a single document to anywhere between $12 and
$17, depending on the agency)
-- creates a "certification of birth," which does not require the parents'
names to be listed
In addition, the certified copy is not required to be a photocopy of the
record.
Unlike other states where the threat to vital records access is based on
fears about identity theft and homeland security (as Indiana recently saw),
the Ohio legislature is doing this under the guise of "fiscal
responsibility." Although nobody has been able to get someone to speak on
the record, my sources at the Ohio Historical Society tell me that they
have heard from the State Vital Statistics officials, who say that they
cannot afford to process uncertified copies. (Because the way the open
records law is written, agencies must charge "at cost," which cannot
include the cost of labor or any overhead, such as maintenance and
preservation of the record.)
Ohio has had a long tradition of open records. The Ohio Revised Code
section 149.43 requires that "...all public records shall be promptly
prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable
times during regular business hours. Subject to division (B)(4) of this
section, upon request, a public office or person responsible for public
records shall make copies available at cost, within a reasonable period of
time. In order to facilitate broader access to public records, public
offices shall maintain public records in a manner that they can be made
available for inspection in accordance with this division."
House Bill 95 does not exclude vital records from what are defined as
public records. There are many other ways to keep uncertified photocopies
available to the public, including setting a statutory fee (perhaps at $1
per page) or setting the fee at a percentage of the certified fee.
The full text of Ohio HB95 can be found at:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText125/125_HB_95_PH_N.html
It is a very large page. Use your Internet browser to find 3705.22 (3705.24
immediately follows.)
The bill has passed the House, and has been forwarded to the Senate, where
the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee is hearing testimony.
Links to contact information for the members of the Ohio Senate can be
found at:
http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/by_name.html
Members of the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee are:
Bill Harris, Chair
Ron Amstutz
Louis Blessing
John Carey
James Carnes
Eric Fingerhut
Randy Gardner
David Goodman
Jay Hottinger
Jeff Jacobson
Mark Mallory
Ray Miller
C.J. Prentiss
Even if you do not live in Ohio, there is nothing to say that you cannot
contact any member of the Ohio Senate or the Ohio House and tell them how
the language in sections 3705.23, 3705.24, etc. would affect you.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ohio genealogists need your support -- and we need it *now*
Thank you,
Amy Crow
========================
Amy Johnson Crow, CG
PO Box 1394
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-6394
voice (614) 755-2769
fax (614) 866-6162
amy(a)amyjohnsoncrow.com