EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0997*
SENATE BILL 997
J1 4lr2395
By: Senator Klausmeier
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
Assigned to: Finance
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Health – Vital Records – Electronic Filing and Storage 2
FOR the purpose of altering the date by which the Secretary of Health is required to 3
establish a process by which death certificates can be filed electronically and 4
requiring that the process allow all vital records to be filed electronically; requiring 5
the Secretary to store vital records in a searchable electronic database; and generally 6
relating to electronic filing and storage of vital records. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Health – General 9
Section 4–201(a) and (u) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Health – General 14
Section 4–203 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2023 Replacement Volume) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Health – General 20
4–201. 21
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
2 SENATE BILL 997
(u) “Vital record” means a certificate or report of birth, death, fetal death, 1
marriage, divorce, dissolution or annulment of marriage, adoption, or adjudication of 2
paternity that is required by law to be filed with the Secretary. 3
4–203. 4
(a) The Secretary is charged with administering efficiently and uniformly this 5
subtitle throughout this State. 6
(b) (1) The Secretary shall: 7
(i) Establish appropriate methods and the necessary forms for 8
accurate registration of vital records; 9
(ii) On or before January 1, [2015] 2028, establish a process by 10
which [death certificates] VITAL RECORDS can be filed electronically; [and] 11
(iii) Educate physicians, physician assistants, and nurse 12
practitioners regarding the process by which [death certificates] VITAL RECORDS can be 13
filed electronically; AND 14
(IV) STORE VITAL RECORDS I N A SEARCHABLE ELECT RONIC 15
DATABASE. 16
(2) The forms shall provide for the information that the Secretary needs for 17
proper registration and use of these vital records. 18
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That this Act shall take effect 19
October 1, 2024. 20