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For community-based midwifery practitioners - family-practice physicians, Certified Nurse-Midwives & Licensed Midwives

This is the cover letter from the Office of Vital Records which was sent to all county registrar offices. It accompanies a "draft" proposal some 55 pages long that entirely restructures the filing of birth certificates. Anyone may submit written comments via faxing to the number at the end of this introductory letter. At the bottom of the letter is a link to the next section of the Proposal. It has several sections -- read all of them before attempting to write or call the OVR

DATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS
304 S STREET
P.0- BOX 70241
SACRAMENTO. CA 942244
(916) 322-1223

January 9, 1998 98-01

TO:  LOCAL REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS CHIEF DEPUTY REGISTRARS

SUBJECT -- OUT-OF-HOSPITAL BIRTH REGISTRATION

In 1996 it was brought to the attention of the Office of Vital Records (OVR) that various interpretations of the policy for registering out-of-hospital births were being used by the local registration districts (LRD).

A committee was formed which consisted of local registrars from various health departments (San Diego County, Orange County, Solano County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, City of Berkeley) as well as staff from the OVR Policy Section. The goal of the committee was to determine the best procedures to use to process out-of-hospital births and still be within the framework of the law. The committee agreed that it is imperative for all California counties to follow a formal procedure that will provide consistency for out-of-hospital birth registration.

The committee produced a draft product which is enclosed for your review and comment-

Please provide your comments to Ms. Linda Misuela of my staff via FAX at (916) 327-8417 by January 30, 1998-

George B. (Peter) Abbott, Chief
Center for Health Statistics

Enclosure

cc: Ms. Linda Misuela
        Policy Section
        Office of Vital Records
        304 S Street P.O.
        Box 731241
        Sacramento, CA 94244-0241

Link here for next Section

OVR -- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR LRDs FOR
REGISTERING OUT HOSPITAL BIRTHS