Provides for commemorative birth certificates (EG +$125,000 SG RV See Note)

This bill enacts two new provisions in Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40 to establish a commemorative birth certificate program within the vital records system. The legislation creates a new form of birth certificate that may be requested for an additional fifty dollar fee beyond standard certified copy costs. The commemorative certificate will bear the state seal and the governor's signature, be designed for display purposes, and maintain the same evidentiary status as a standard certified copy of a birth certificate. The state registrar is authorized to establish procedures for issuing these certificates while ensuring they incorporate security measures consistent with federal terrorism prevention standards to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or fraudulent duplication.

The practical effect of this legislation creates a revenue-generating program affecting individuals seeking commemorative versions of their birth certificates and two state agencies responsible for vital records and women's health services. Citizens or parents seeking these displayable commemorative certificates will pay an additional fifty dollars per certificate request. The state registrar's office will retain twenty dollars from each fee to cover production and administrative costs of the commemorative program, while thirty dollars from each fee will be directed to the office on women's health and community health. This arrangement provides dedicated funding to support women's health initiatives while offsetting the administrative burden on the vital records division.

This legislation operates within the existing statutory framework governing vital records in Louisiana Title 40, which establishes the department's authority over birth certificate issuance and fee collection. The bill preserves the evidentiary integrity of commemorative certificates by explicitly granting them the same legal status as certified copies, ensuring they remain admissible in legal proceedings despite their decorative design and display suitability. The security requirements imposed align with federal standards established in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, reflecting compliance with national identity document standards and federal regulations governing the production of vital records.