The bill amends Section 23-3-5.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-3, titled "Vital Records," to establish new guidelines for the transfer and management of public historical documents. It mandates that public historical vital records maintained at the Rhode Island state archives shall not be amended, in order to preserve their integrity. The state registrar of vital records is responsible for the transfer of original records of births and marriages that are at least 100 years old, and death records that are at least 50 years old, to the state archives at the end of each calendar year. The secretary of state is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding these public historical documents. Additionally, the division of vital records is required to provide electronic copies of the records to local registrars before the transfer, facilitating the issuance of accurate or certified copies to the public as permitted by law. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5871: 23-3-5.1