Legislation that would make it easier for the public to research birth and death records maintained by the commonwealth, after a suitable waiting period is headed to the governor for enactment into law, state Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, the prime sponsor of the bill, announced this week.The measure would open birth records to the public 105 years after the date of birth and death records 50 years after the date of death.Currently, those records are considered by the state to be closed and only immediate family members are eligible to obtain a certified birth and/or death record.The state House of Representatives unanimously passed the bill Tuesday following the Senate’s unanimous approval of the measure on Sept. 27. The bill now goes to Gov.

Tom Corbett for his signature and enactment into law.Beginning in 1906, all births and deaths in Pennsylvania were recorded by the commonwealth, with the exception of Philadelphia, which compiled the records until 1915.From 1893 through 1905, births and deaths were recorded at the county level. These records have always been open to the public for research.In addition, those individuals who were born before 1906 and their birth was not recorded were able to file an application at the county level for a “delayed birth certificate,” a necessity for anyone applying for social security.These records have also been open for public research.———Worried that some residents may pay for a service they can receive for free, state

Rep. Scott Hutchinson, R-64th, is warning local senior citizens to be wary of a letter they may receive from a non-government agency about applying for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.“We don’t want to see senior citizens spend some of their income on a service that our office as well as other agencies, volunteers and other individuals provide for free,” Hutchinson said last week.The letter, which comes from an entity calling itself the “Senior Advisory Center,” offers to help senior citizens apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program in exchange for a $39 fee. Seniors who pay by credit card are charged an additional $2.Hutchinson said there is no reason for senior citizens to pay $39 or $41 since his office or the Venango County Area Agency on Aging can provide applications to senior citizens and help them fill them out for free.Hutchinson’s office received phone calls from senior citizens who mistakenly believe they must now pay to apply for the state program’s benefits.“The people these letters are targeting are often living on a fixed income,” Hutchinson said. “They’re people who can least afford to do without the extra money.”Constituents who would like to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program can call one of Hutchinson’s offices.———The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would update the American Legion charter to improve the membership process.Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, sponsored the House companion bill to a Senate bill, which received final passage Tuesday, and was sent to the president for his signature.Altmire’s bill, the American Legion Charter Modernization Act, received 432 co-sponsorships, a record for any bill in the House.“Streamlining the membership process for the American Legion makes funds more readily available for local posts to continue their important work independently,” he said, “and prevents legal concerns that could not have been anticipated when they originally crafted their charter.”Altmire noted the measure would allow individual posts to operate autonomously even though American Legion members now pay their dues and renew their membership online through the use of a credit or debit card.———The Butler Freedom Patriots will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Net Outreach, 100 Center Ave.Plans for a spring event introducing 2012 candidates before the primary will be one of the topics discussed.