THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2817
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS FEES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 338, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding to part I a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§338-    Fees for expedited copies or special services. A $50 fee shall be charged for expedited certified copy service or any services that require special attention for birth, death, and marriage records that are already registered and accepted by the department.  The department shall keep an account of all fees collected and shall deposit them to the vital statistics improvement special fund."

     SECTION 2. Section 338-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§338-14  Fees for certified copies and searches; transcripts or other statistical summaries of vital records for National Center for Health Statistics; certified copies for veterans and others; and corrections on vital statistics certificates.  (a)  The department of health shall establish reasonable fees to be paid for certified copies of certificates; provided that the department shall furnish, free of charge, a certified copy of any of the records, or a certification of birth, to any veteran of the armed forces of the United States, the veteran's wife, any member of the immediate family of a veteran or the next of kin of a deceased veteran, when required for use in connection with a claim based on service in the armed forces of the United States.  Subject to sections 338-16, 338-17, and 338-18, the National Center for Health Statistics may obtain transcripts and statistical summaries on computer tapes of certificates or, without payment of fees, certified copies; provided the State is put to no expense in connection therewith.

     A [reasonable] $25 fee shall be charged for any correction in the items on a vital statistics certificate initiated by the registrant or the registrant's parent or representative if the registrant is a minor.

     (b)  The department [may prescribe reasonable fees] shall charge $10 for searches of files and records not involving the issuance of certified copies.

     (c)  The department shall keep an account of all fees

collected and shall deposit them to the [general fund of the State] vital statistics improvement special fund, except as provided in sections 321-1.3, 338-14.5, 338-14.6, 346-7.5, and 601-3.6.

     (d)  [Any fee established by the department pursuant to this section shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 91.] In establishing a fee, the amount shall [be sufficient to] cover the expenses involved in [searching for, cost of a copy of, or correction of the certificate, file, or record, as the case may be.  The department may raise the fees up to ten per cent per year without being subject to the provisions of chapter 91.] the registration, processing, and issuance of vital records."

     SECTION 3.  Section 338-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§338-14.5  Copies of certificate; fees.  The fees for certified copies of birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates issued by the department of health shall consist of [$10] $15 for the first copy issued and [$4] $5 for each copy issued thereafter.  These fees shall be collected for each single request for certified copies.  All fees received for the issuance of certified copies of birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates shall be remitted to the director of health.  Upon the receipt of remittances under this section, the director of health shall deposit:

     (1)  $1 for each certified copy to the credit of the spouse and child abuse special account established under section 346-7.5;

     (2)  $1 for each certified copy to the credit of the spouse and child abuse special account established under section 601-3.6;

     (3)  $1 for each certified copy to the credit of the domestic violence and sexual assault special fund established under section 321-1.3;

     (4)  [$1] $2 for each certified copy to the credit of the vital statistics improvement special fund established under section 338-14.6; and

     (5)  The remainder of the fee for each certified copy to the credit of the state general fund."

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Health; Vital Statistics Fees

Description:

Raises the fees associated with vital statistics certified copy and expedited and correction services.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.