House of Representatives

SB 1145

state hospital

(now: vital records electronic systems fund)

Sponsor: Senator Gerard

 

DP

Committee on Health

DP

Committee on Appropriations

DPA

Caucus and COW

DPA

Third Read

 

X

As Transmitted to the Governor

 

SB 1145 enables Department of Health Services (DHS) to collect 40 percent of the monies from vital records fees for the implementation of a vital records automation system.

History

 

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According to DHS, the electronic system used by OVR to issue birth certificates is both cumbersome and outdated.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 for a vital records automation system.

 

Provisions

 

·          Allocates 40% of the monies collected from vital record fees to the Vital Records Electronic Systems Fund to establish and implement an automated vital records system.

·          Prohibits the expenditure of any funds until a detailed expenditure plan is approved by the Government Information Technology Agency and submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for review. 

·          Exempts DHS from rule making requirements for one year.

·          Establishes the Vital Records Electronic Systems Fund (Fund).

·          Authorizes the State Treasurer to invest and divest Fund monies and credits proceeds from investments to the Fund.

·          States that Fund monies are non-lapsing, continuously appropriated and do not revert to the general fund.

·          Contains a delayed repeal date of June 30, 2006.

 

 

 

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45th Legislature                    

Second Regular Session        2          June 5, 2002

 

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