SB 5545-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Uses fees for certified copies of vital records to develop and maintain a web-based vital records system.

Provides that the department of health shall charge a fee of seventeen dollars for certified copies of records and for copies or information provided for research, statistical, or administrative purposes, and eight dollars for a search of the files or records when no copy is made. The department shall prescribe by regulation fees to be paid for preparing sealed files and for opening sealed files.

Provides that local registrars shall charge the same fees as the state as hereinabove provided and as prescribed by department regulation except in cases where payment is made by credit card, charge card, debit card, smart card, stored value card, federal wire, automatic clearinghouse system, or other electronic communication. Payment by these electronic methods may be subject to an additional fee consistent with the requirements established by RCW 36.29.190.

Provides that all such fees collected, except for seven dollars of each fee collected for the issuance of birth certificates and first copies of death certificates and fourteen dollars of each fee collected for additional copies of the same death certificate ordered at the same time as the first copy, shall be paid to the jurisdictional health department.

Requires all local registrars in cities and counties to keep a true and correct account of all fees received under this act for the issuance of certified copies and shall turn seven dollars of the fees collected for birth certificates and first copies of death certificates and fourteen dollars of the fee collected for additional copies of death certificates over to the state treasurer on or before the first day of January, April, July, and October. All but five dollars of the fees turned over to the state treasurer by local registrars shall be paid to the department of health for the purpose of developing and maintaining the state vital records systems, including a web-based electronic death registration system.