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Archiver > APG > 2006-02 > 1139333697


From: "Joan M Lowry" <>
Subject: NJ Vital Records Access Threatened
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2006 12:34:57 -0500
In-Reply-To: <H-NEW-JERSEY%200602060001330418.0023@H-NET.MSU.EDU>


Hello All

In light of recent discussions on this list regarding NJ Vital Records
access, I thought that you should have more information on the serious
piece of pending legislation that would remove virtually all Vital
Records from the realm of Public Records, Assembly Bill 1390. In
addition to making the records non-public, the bill would further
restrict who would be allowed to obtain copies and would allow only
"viewing" of the records to others.

The bill also would make it against the law to "transfer, sell, share,
reproduce or otherwise disclose the information to another party."
There would be penalties for disclosing the information that could be
serious fines or even jail time. I don't know how anyone can write a
history book, article, or anything else if you can't share the
information, or provide a documented source for the information.

The proposed bill, Assembly Bill 1390, is a product of the Homeland
Security and State Preparedness Committee. You can see the proposed
language at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A1500/1390_I1.PDF.
You can also get there from the Genealogical Society of New Jersey's
website www.gsnj.org by going to the page for Legislative Alerts (the
direct page link is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~njgsnj/legislation.html.)

This bill may be heard by the Assembly as early as March 2. I urge any
NJ members on this list to make contact with the sponsors of the bill
via fax or email as soon as possible to ask them to amend the bill.
There is a summary sheet on the GSNJ website that gives more information
on the bill and proposed amended language. There are also sample
letters for use by individuals and by societies and organizations. See
the Legislative Alerts page on the GSNJ website

I would welcome any comments or other assistance that can be offered to
help us get the bill changed before it is too late! My email address
is: mailto:

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Joan M. Lowry

President, Genealogical Society of New Jersey
www.gsnj.org



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