HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1930

Restricting copying of birth certificates            Public Hrg: 2/28/97

Brief Title

Reps. Chandler/Linville/D. Schmidt                   Staff Contact: S. Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

The open records law requires that all public records of state agencies and local governments are open to public inspection and copying unless expressly excluded.  Among other express exclusions, the following public records are not available for inspection and copying by the public: (1) Personal information in files the disclosure of which would violate the right to privacy; (2) certain taxpayer information;  (3) preliminary drafts or notes; (4) library records that disclose the identity of the library user; (5) certain financial and commercial information supplied by individuals applying for various programs; and (6) valuable formulae or designs.

The open public records law does not authorize the use of lists of individuals for commercial purposes unless specifically authorized by law.

SUMMARY:

Birth certificates may be inspected by the public but may not be copied.

Local registrars and the state registrar shall not provide a copy of a birth certificate without the written permission of the person whose birth certificate is recorded by the birth certificate or the parent or legal guardian of the person whose birth is recorded if the person is a minor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not Requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.