Mass. Gen. Laws. Ann. ch. 111, § 24B - Birth information; statistical purposes

Upon the birth of a child, the physician or nurse or person responsible for the birth must forward the relevant information to the Commissioner of Public Health.  The information in the birth certificate must be transmitted within 10 days.  The information received does not constitute a public record, and steps should be taken to maintain the confidentiality of the record.  The birth information may be used by researchers, upon written request, but the researchers may not disclose any identifying information from the record and must protect the confidentiality of the information.