HI SCR35

Requests the Department of Health Office of Health Status Monitoring to improve its process for fulfilling vital record requests and increase productivity and accurate processing of vital records

Identifies that the Office of Health Status Monitoring, located on Oahu, is not easily accessible to neighbor island residents who need birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates

Notes that mail-order vital records requests have longer processing times due to postal service delays and incomplete submissions missing required information

Cites COVID-19 pandemic impacts including forecasted $20.9 million budget reduction for the Department of Health and stay-at-home orders that created backlogs in vital record requests

Highlights that delays in birth recordation interfere with Social Security registration and delays in death certification impact burial plans and probate proceedings