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Bill

H 216

VITAL STATISTICS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the completion, correction, and amendment of certificates.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 216 simplifies amending birth certificates in Idaho, allowing corrections without "amended" labels, aiding individuals in accurately reflecting their vital records.

Reported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
#healthandwelfaredepartment #records #vitalstatistics
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 216

Summary of House Bill 216 (H 216)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 216 (H 216) aims to amend existing laws regarding the completion, correction, and amendment of vital records, specifically birth certificates. The primary intent of the bill is to clarify the terminology and procedures involved in making changes to these certificates, ensuring that they accurately reflect the necessary information without being marked as "amended" when certain corrections are made.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several important changes to Idaho Code, particularly Section 39-250, which governs the handling of vital records:

  1. Terminology Clarification:

    • Defines terms related to vital records:
      • Amended: Changes to legal facts.
      • Completed: Addition of material facts that were previously blank.
      • Corrected: Replacement of incorrect information with correct data based on authoritative documentation.

  2. Certificate Marking:

    • Certificates that are completed or corrected will not be marked as "amended." Instead, they will be identified with a designation (C1, C2, etc.) corresponding to the number of changes made.
    • Certificates that are amended will still be marked as "amended," with a record of the date and evidence supporting the amendment.

  3. Paternity Acknowledgment:

    • The bill allows for the amendment of birth certificates to reflect paternity without marking them as "amended," provided that proper documentation (notarized acknowledgments) is submitted.

  4. Court Procedures:

    • Establishes procedures for individuals to petition a court if their requests for amendments to vital records are denied after exhausting administrative remedies.

  5. Delayed Registration:

    • Outlines the process for delayed registration of births or deaths, including the necessary information that must be provided in a petition to the court.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:

    • This bill primarily impacts individuals seeking to amend their vital records, such as birth certificates, as well as the Health & Welfare Department responsible for maintaining these records.
    • It may also affect legal proceedings related to paternity and the registration of births and deaths.

  • Fiscal Implications:

    • According to the fiscal note, there are no anticipated costs associated with this bill, as it primarily involves changes in designation rather than additional expenditures.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: February 11, 2025
  • Current Status: Reported printed and referred to the Health & Welfare Committee on February 12, 2025.
  • Emergency Clause: The bill includes a declaration of emergency, which may expedite its implementation upon passage.

In summary, House Bill 216 seeks to streamline the process of amending vital records in Idaho, making it easier for individuals to ensure their certificates accurately reflect their circumstances without unnecessary markings that could complicate legal matters.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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