Uniform vital statistics

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with the State agency responsible for registration and certification of births and deaths and, within 2 years of the date of enactment of this Act, shall establish a national electronic network linking the vital statistics records of such States. The network shall provide, where practical, for the matching of deaths with births and shall enable the confirmation of births and deaths of citizens of the United States, or of aliens within the United States, by any Federal or State agency or official in the performance of official duties. The Secretary shall institute measures to achieve uniform and accurate reporting of vital statistics into the national network, to protect the integrity of the registration and certification process, and to prevent fraud against the Government and other persons through the use of false birth or death certificates.