(now: vital records
electronic sytems fund)
SB 1145 passed the Health Committee unamended.
The DHS Office of Vital Records (OVR) is responsible for issuing certified birth and death certificates. Maricopa and Pima counties issue birth and death certificates, however OVR is responsible for issuing certificates for the remaining counties.
According to DHS, the electronic system used by OVR to issue birth certificates is both cumbersome and outdated. Death certificates are not on an automated system and require significant staff time and filing space. The electronic birth certificate system is incapable of taking on death certificates.
Subject to the availability of funds, DHS would prefer to implement an Internet based system which would allow counties to directly input certificate information. According to OVR, such a system would be employed in order to save labor, time, storage space, ease the process of correcting certificates, ensure compliance with federal information requirements and minimize the number of errors.
SB 1145 appropriates 40% of monies collected from birth and death certificate fees to cover the cost of a vital records automation system. With the passages of SB 1145, DHS would need to raise the fees for birth and death certificates from $6 to $10 in order to receive the necessary funds a vital records automation system.