What's happening
This bill allows anyone to request a death record copy for genealogical or research purposes, excluding cause of death information.
Why it matters
Facilitates access to historical and genealogical information. by allowing anyone—not just immediate family or those with a legal interest—to obtain copies of death records, making it easier for people conducting family history research or academic studies.
Protects personal and sensitive health details. by ensuring that the released records do not include the cause of death or the medical certificate, balancing transparency with privacy for the deceased and their families.
May help democratize research opportunities. for local historians, genealogists, and community organizations who previously faced barriers in accessing these records, potentially enriching public knowledge and historical archives.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Release Death Records for Genealogy
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
141
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. SCHIM- MINGER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to issuance of a record of death for genealogical or research purposes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 4174 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) upon request, issue to any applicant, for genealogical or research purposes, a copy or transcript of the record of any death registered under the provisions of this chapter, which shall not include therein the cause of death of the decedent nor the medical certificate;
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01596-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.