Civil Records Quarterly Report

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We are currently in the 186th Legislative Session. The full session runs for two years.

At the end of November the FORMAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION closed for the current year, to be reconvened one week into January for 2010.

Vigilance is still the byword even during INFORMAL SESSION. After our experience in informal session
when one state senator tried to get a bill passed on New Year's Eve, we all know how important it is to be vigilant.

We are tracking a number of bills on Beacon Hill that would restrict records access. The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association has again submitted a bill that undermines the interests of all stakeholders. In addition, this year even sees a bill that would close all vital records since 1841!

To read the full text or see the status of any of these bills, go to www.mass.gov/legis, the homepage of the legislature, and make choices under Current Legislation. The S in the bill number indicates a Senate bill and the H a House bill.

Bernie Couming
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MGC POSITION	BILL NO., SIZE	PRIMARY SPONSOR	GENEALOGY ISSUES
Opposed	S-820, 3 pps	Jehlen, P.D.	Closes all vital records since 1841.
Concurred	S-822, 13 pps	Kennedy, T.P. (for MGC)	Drafted by MGC, this bill is the result of consultation with all stakeholders
Opposed	H-2064, 3 pps	Harkins, L. (for MTCA)	Does not represent the interests of all stakeholders. Generalized language would permit records closure by the Registrar without review.
Opposed	H-2124, 2 pps.	Murphy, J.M.	Excessive restriction on public access. Was submitted last year as H-2201.
Concurred	H-2133, 2 pps	Poirier, E.	Would cancel most existing restrictions to “out of wedlock” birth records.
Under review	H-2134, 2 pps	Poirier, E.	The title of this bill and the language of the bill are unclear as to intent..

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