STILLBIRTH RECORD; PROHIBIT FEE                                                     H.B. 5289 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5289 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Julie Alexander

House Committee:  Families, Children, and Seniors

                             Ways and Means

Senate Committee:  Families, Seniors and Veterans

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit the State Registrar from charging a fee for a search and not more than two certified copies or authenticated copies of a certificate or other record of stillbirth described in the Code.

MCL 333.2882 & 333.2891                                        Legislative Analyst:  Tyler VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a negative fiscal impact on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and no fiscal impact on local units of government. Under current law, the DHHS receives a $34 fee when an eligible individual requests a certified copy of a birth record from the State Registrar, $16 per additional copy, and an additional $12 if the eligible individual requests that the search be expedited. For an authenticated copy, the DHHS receives $42 after receiving a request from an eligible individual, $26 per additional copy, and an additional $25 if the eligible individual requests that the search be expedited. These, and other fees, are used to support the Vital Records Program within the DHHS. This bill would result in a decrease in revenue for the State by waiving the fee for a search and up to two certified or authenticated copies of a certificate or other record of a stillbirth. According to the DHHS, between the years of 2010 and 2017, there were an average of 613 stillbirths in Michigan each year. Assuming a similar number of stillbirths happened in subsequent years, the Department would see a reduction in revenue ranging from $20,800 to $57,000 each year.

Date Completed:  7-29-20                                                Fiscal Analyst: Ellyn Ackerman

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.