HI SR24

Requests the Department of Health Office of Health Status Monitoring to improve its process for fulfilling vital record requests to 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 seeking birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.

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

Cites COVID-19 pandemic impacts including a forecasted $20,900,000 reduction in Department of Health operating budget and stay-at-home orders that created a logjam of vital record requests.

Highlights that delays in vital records processing interfere with Social Security registration, burial plans, and probate proceedings, causing stress for residents during major life events.