relative to the use of personal identifying information by state agencies.

HB 1689 updates the rules for how state agencies handle personal identifying information within vital records. The bill clarifies that terms like "personal identifiers" include names, addresses, and social security numbers, while restricting the Department of Health and Human Services from accessing these specific details. It establishes a requirement for the Secretary of State to provide continuous electronic access to statistical mortality and natality data, excluding any restricted adoption records or court-protected files. Additionally, the legislation allows for the sharing of health-related data for research purposes under strict conditions, including federal HIPAA compliance and a mandatory review process before any release occurs.