California Assembly Bill AB974

California 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/23
• Refer: 2/23/23
• Report Pass: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23
• Refer: 4/19/23
• Failed: 2/1/24

Caption

Incarcerated persons: certified record of live birth.

Impact

This proposed legislation not only streamlines the process for requesting vital records but also establishes a method for verifying the incarceration status of individuals seeking these records. It requires the development of an affidavit and outlines various acceptable forms of verification for an individual's claim of incarceration, such as confirmation through state or county inmate locator websites or evidence provided by correctional officials. The implementation of this bill would provide a higher level of service to inmates who often face obstacles in accessing such documents.

Summary

Assembly Bill 974, introduced by Assembly Member McKinnor, addresses the needs of incarcerated individuals concerning the issuance of certified records of live birth. Under existing law, individuals are required to provide payment for such records. This bill mandates that local registrars, county recorders, or the State Registrar must issue certified live birth records without a fee to any person who can prove they are currently incarcerated. This change aims to ensure that individuals in correctional facilities retain access to important personal documents that are essential for various legal and administrative purposes.

Contention

AB 974 introduces potential implications for local agencies, as it imposes a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution stipulates that the state must reimburse local agencies for certain costs stemming from state mandates. If the Commission on State Mandates finds that this act incurs additional expenses, the state shall reimburse the costs incurred by local registrars and other related entities. These financial responsibilities could lead to concerns regarding budget allocations and local agencies' ability to manage the new requirements effectively.