Authorizes the city of Jamestown to set the fee for issuance of birth and death certificates

BILL NUMBER:S3421

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the fee for issuance of birth and death records in the city of Jamestown

Purpose

To authorize the Jamestown City Council to establish the fee charged for the issuance of birth and death certificates as well as ancillary services including priority handling, internet and telephone orders to those individuals who were born or die within the City of Jamestown

Summary of provisions

Amends section 4173 of the Public Health Law to provide that the City of Jamestown may increase the fee charged for certified copies of birth and death certificates.

Justification

This bill has been introduced at the request of the City of Jamestown in Resolution Number 201402Al2. The Public Health Law authorizes localities to charge a $10 fee for the issuance of birth and death records This fee has not been adjusted since 1991. In recent years, laws have been enacted to allow Monroe County, Onondaga County, Chemung County, Tompkins County, and the City of Oswego to charge up to $30 dollars for these services, which is the amount received by the New York State Health Department.

This bill would authorize the Jamestown City Council to increase the fee from $10, but not to exceed the $30 fee charged by the State Health Commissioner.

Due to increasing costs in providing services to its residents, the Jamestown Common Council has requested this legislation, which would help to reduce the burden of property taxes on its residents and businesses

Legislative history

2014: S 6745/A.8002-A Referred to Health

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately