J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                        539

records, when certified by the State Board of Health and Mental
Hygiene, shall be accepted as the original records.

[27] 26. Certificates as evidence.

Certificates of birth, death and [stillbirth] fetal death filed within
[six month] one year after the event, and certified copies of such
certificates shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.
Data therein pertaining to the father of a child are prima facie
evidence only if the alleged father is the husband of the mother; if
not, the data pertaining to the father of a child are not evidence in
any proceeding adverse to the interests of the alleged father, or of
his heirs, next of kin, devisees, legatees or other successors in
interest, if the paternity is controverted. The evidentiary value of a
certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a
record which has been amended, shall be determined by the judicial
body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.

27.  Disclosure of Records.

To protect the integrity of vital records, to insure their proper
use, and to insure the efficient and proper administration of the
vital records system, it is unlawful for any person to permit inspec-
tion of, or to disclose information contained in vital records, or to
copy or issue a copy of all or part of any such record except as au-
thorized in Section 25 or by regulation.

28.    Penalties.

(a)   [Failure to execute and deliver certificates; false informa-
tion.—]

Any person who fails or refuses to execute and deliver a certificate
of birth, death [stillbirth] or fetal death, as provided in Sections 16,
17, 18, 20 [and] , 21 and 23 of this sub-title and any person who wil-
fully furnishes false information for entry on a certificate of birth,
death [stillbirth] or fetal death, or who wilfully enters false informa-
tion on such certificate, upon conviction, shall be fined not [less than
$10 nor] more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

(b)  [Wilful alteration of certificate.—] Any person who wilfully
[makes or] alters any certificate, or certified copy thereof, or other
certified statement pertaining to a registered birth, death, fetal death
or marriage provided for under this subtitle, except in accordance
with the provisions of this sub-title, upon conviction, shall be fined
not more than five hundred dollars ($500,) or be imprisoned not ex-
ceeding six (6) months, or shall be both fined and imprisoned, for
each offense.

(c)  Any person who with the intention to deceive, wilfully uses
or attempts to use any certificate of birth or certified copy of a record
of birth knowing that such certificate or certified copy was issued
upon a record which is false in whole or in part or which relates to
the birth of another person; or any person who wilfully and know-
ingly furnishes a certificate of birth or certified copy of a record of
birth with the intention that it be used by a person other than the
person to whom the record of birth relates, upon conviction, shall be
fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense.

(d)  Any person who engages in the unauthorized production, re-
production or distribution of blank certificates or other forms used