HCS HB 422 -- HEIRLOOM BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND MARRIAGE LICENSES

SPONSOR:  Barry (Froelker)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 14 to 0.

This substitute requires the Bureau of Vital Records of the
Department of Health to issue heirloom birth certificates, upon
request and an additional payment of a $24 fee.  The certificate
must contain all vital information, must be suitable for
display, may bear the seal of the state, and may be signed by
the Governor.  The fee must be used to pay for the cost of the
certificate.  Any moneys remaining in excess of the cost will be
deposited in the Heirloom Birth Certificate Fund created by the
substitute.  Excess funds are to be appropriated by the General
Assembly for certain adoption programs.  Moneys in the fund are
not to be credited to the General Revenue Fund at the end of the
biennium.

The substitute also requires the bureau to issue heirloom
marriage licenses, upon request and an additional payment of a
$24 fee.  The heirloom marriage license must contain the names
of the persons on the marriage license that is recorded in the
office of the recorder of deeds, must be suitable for display,
may bear the seal of the state, and may be signed by the
Governor.  The fee must be used to pay for the cost of the
license.  Any moneys remaining in excess of the cost must be
deposited in the Heirloom Marriage License Fund created by the
substitute.  Excess funds are to be appropriated by the General
Assembly for the training of foster parents.  Moneys in the fund
are not to be credited to the General Revenue Fund at the end of
the biennium.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow persons
born and married in Missouri to receive an heirloom birth
certificate or heirloom marriage license upon request and
payment of a fee.  Moneys received will be used to cover the
costs of producing the documents.  The remaining moneys will be
used to support adoption programs and a training program for
foster parents.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Froelker.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the original
language would result in logistical problems and duplication of
services, since part of the revenues received for certified
copies of marriage licenses are deposited in the Children's
Trust Fund.  Those who opposed the bill also stated that the
production of these records should be centralized.

Testifying against the bill was Recorders Association of
Missouri.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:44 am