05/07/2026
Massachusetts vital records are at risk! MGC is urging genealogists, researchers, and anyone who cares about access to historical records to take action on an important legislative development.
Governor Maura Healey’s supplemental budget proposal (H.5377) contains language in Section 43 that could significantly affect access to Massachusetts vital records. While MGC supports removing the outdated term “out-of-wedlock” from Massachusetts statutes, the proposed language in Section 43 goes further than intended and could create confusion and restrict access to records that researchers rely on.
MGC is asking that Section 43 be amended to a simple, targeted fix that removes only the offensive language without disrupting existing records access law.
What You Can Do:
Contact your Massachusetts state representative, state senator, and the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means. Ask them to support the MGC’s proposed amendment to Section 43 and to approve Sections 44 and 45 as submitted.
Not a Massachusetts resident? You can still contact the Committee Chairs directly and share why access to Massachusetts vital records matters to your research.
To find your legislators, visit the MA Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
The leaders of the Committees on Ways and Means are:
• House Chair: Aaron Michlewitz ([email protected], phone: 617-722-2990, fax: 617-570-6575)
• Senate Chair: Michael J. Rodrigues ([email protected], phone: 722-1114, fax: 617-722-1498)
• Senate Vice Chair: Joanne M. “Jo” Comerford ([email protected], phone: 617-722-1532)
For the full background on our concerns and the specific language MGC supports, visit our blog: https://www.massgencouncil.org/post/act-now-gov-healey-s-supplemental-budget-contains-both-good-and-very-bad-news-for-genealogists
Please share this post widely with your genealogical networks, societies, and colleagues. Time is of the essence!
