The Maine State Legislature has now passed Bill LD 1781, the bill to restrict the release of Maine birth, marriage and death records for 100 years. While any restriction on access is bad news for genealogists, the language in this bill doesn't seem too bad.
Before being passed, the bill was amended with: “Custodians of certificates and records of birth, marriage and death may permit inspection of records by, and issue non-certified copies to, researchers engaged in genealogical research who hold researcher identification cards, as specified by rule adopted by the department.”
Before being passed, the bill was amended with: “Custodians of certificates and records of birth, marriage and death may permit inspection of records by, and issue non-certified copies to, researchers engaged in genealogical research who hold researcher identification cards, as specified by rule adopted by the department.”
I added the highlighting above for emphasis.
Obtaining a researcher identification card is an unpleasant restriction, but is better than being locked out entirely, as originally proposed. The “researcher identification card” can be obtained at the Maine State Archives in Augusta, next door to the State House. The archives has required these for years so this is not a major change. I obtained one of the researcher identification cards some years ago and, as I remember the experience, the process was simple and quick. The cards are good for one year, then you need to fill out a new form again.
