Bill > A08314

This bill requires the New York State Department of Health to enter into a seven-year contract with a "qualified entity" (defined as an organization experienced in maintaining genealogical research databases) to create and maintain an online database of digital vital records, including birth, marriage, dissolution of marriage, and death certificates. The database will be created at no direct cost to the state, with the qualified entity allowed to provide the database to its own subscribers. The digital records will have social security numbers redacted and will only include records that have become public information (birth records over 75 years old, marriage/death records over 50 years old, or records of lineal or collateral descendants). The indexes will be considered public records and subject to freedom of information laws. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect existing state employees' rights, ensuring that no current workers will be displaced or have their employment terms negatively altered by this new contract. The database is designed to allow linking of record indexes to digital images of original documents, making genealogical research more accessible while maintaining privacy protections.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8314