Posted: | March 2, 2018 11:17 AM |
---|---|
From: | Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Addressing the Vital Statistics Backlog, Issurance of Death Certificates by Local Registrars |
As most of you know, the Department of Health (DOH) is significantly behind in processing certified copies of vital statistics, especially death certificates, which is adding unnecessary delay and understandable frustration for grieving families. According to the DOH, online orders are being delayed four months and regular mail orders are being delayed up to seven months. To address this, and to help clear the growing backlog at DOH, I plan to introduce legislation to amend the Vital Statistics Code to allow death certificates to be available through local registrars for a longer period of time than is currently permitted. Currently, a local registrar may issue a certified copy of a death certificate for a period of 90 days. After those 90 days, only the DOH is permitted to issue certified copies. My legislation will increase this period of time from 90 days to six months. I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this legislation. |