Robbins Bill Provides for Opening of Antiquated Records

Measure would benefit genealogists and historians

Since more than 100 years of Pennsylvania's rich history is locked away and unavailable to researchers, Senator Bob Robbins is introducing Senate Bill 683, legislation to open selected, antiquated records to public scrutiny.

"Pennsylvania does a good job of tracking and maintaining birth and death certificates, but there is no system to allow the public to review those records even after they become antiquated," Senator Robbins said. "I fully understand that confidentiality must be maintained, but I can also see where we could modify the system to open up antiquated records."

Prior to 1906, birth and death records were recorded at the county level, considered public records and are available to researchers. Beginning in 1906, Pennsylvania began to register birth and death records on a statewide basis and restricted their access to immediate family members only.

"Currently, Pennsylvania statute prohibits the release of confidential vital records to the public, regardless of the age of the records. My bill would amend the Vital Statistics Law to allow all applications for Birth Records, 75 years and older, and Death Records 50 years and older, to become public records. This change will allow greater access to family historians and genealogists."

SB 683 was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee for review.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322