218

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

"Final disposition" § 4-201
4-223. CERTIFICATES AS EVIDENCE.

(A)  GENERAL RULE.

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, IF A
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH, DEATH, OR FETAL DEATH IS FILED WITHIN
1 YEAR AFTER THE EVENT, THE ORIGINAL OR A CERTIFIED COPY OF
THE CERTIFICATE IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS STATED
IN IT.

(B)  EVIDENCE AS TO FATHER.

(1)  ANY INFORMATION IN THE CERTIFICATE THAT
RELATES TO THE FATHER OF A CHILD IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE
ONLY IF THE ALLEGED FATHER IS THE HUSBAND OF THE MOTHER.

(2)  IF THE ALLEGED FATHER IS NOT THE HUSBAND OF
THE MOTHER AND PATERNITY IS CONTESTED, THE INFORMATION THAT
RELATES TO THE FATHER OF A CHILD IS NOT EVIDENCE IN ANY
PROCEEDING ADVERSE TO THE INTERESTS OF THE ALLEGED FATHER OR
HIS HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, OR OTHER
SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST.

(C)  LATE FILING OR AMENDMENT.

IF A CERTIFICATE OR RECORD IS FILED MORE THAN 1 YEAR
AFTER THE EVENT OR IS AMENDED, THE COURT OR OFFICIAL BEFORE
WHOM THE CERTIFICATE OR RECORD IS OFFERED AS EVIDENCE SHALL
DETERMINE ITS EVIDENTIARY VALUE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as
Article 43, § 26.

The only changes are in style.

Defined terms: "Birth" § 4-201
"Fetal death" § 4-201 "File" § 4-201

4-224. 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, A PERSON MAY
NOT, EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED IN §§ 4-217, 4-220, 4-221, OR
4-222 OF THIS SUBTITLE OR BY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
THE DEPARTMENT:

(1)  PERMIT INSPECTION OF OR DISCLOSE ANY
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN A VITAL RECORD; OR

(2)  COPY OR ISSUE A COPY OF ALL OR PART OF ANY
VITAL RECORD.