The bill amends sections 23-3-5.1 and 23-3-24 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-3 entitled "Vital Records." It introduces new provisions for the transfer of historical vital records to the state archives. Specifically, it mandates that at the end of each calendar year, original records of births and marriages that occurred 100 years or more prior and deaths that occurred 50 years or more prior are to be permanently transferred to the state archives. Before this transfer, the division of vital records must provide an electronic copy of these records to all local registrars to ensure the public can obtain accurate or certified copies as authorized by law. Additionally, any amendments to records that are not available in electronic format must be forwarded to the local registrar for the same purpose.

The bill also updates the language regarding the issuance of certified copies of vital records, replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral ones and clarifying the roles of local registrars. It specifies that local registrars can issue certified copies of any certificate or record in their custody or to which they have access, in a form prescribed by the state director of health or the state archives. The bill ensures that certified copies are considered the same as the original for all purposes and outlines the conditions under which various agencies may be furnished with copies or data from vital records. The act would take effect upon passage, and its purpose is to ensure that vital records are accessible to local registrars and to grant them the authority to issue certified copies of certificates and records.