2010 Tennessee Code
Title 68 - Health, Safety and Environmental Protection
Chapter 3 - Vital Records
Part 1 - Definitions and Administration
68-3-104 - State registrar.

68-3-104. State registrar.

(a)  The commissioner shall:

     (1)  Appoint a state registrar of vital records, referred to as the state registrar in this chapter, who shall be qualified in accordance with classification standards of education and experience; and

     (2)  In case of a vacancy in the office of state registrar, immediately appoint a successor.

(b)  The state registrar:

     (1)  Under the supervision of the commissioner, shall act as agent of the commissioner and:

          (A)  Shall have charge of the office of vital records and act as the custodian of all the certificates and records received by the state registrar and perform such other duties as the commissioner may prescribe; and

          (B)  Shall be charged with the execution of this chapter and of the regulations of the department throughout the state and have supervisory power over the local registrars and deputy local registrars;

     (2)  Shall prescribe, with the approval of the department, furnish, and distribute forms required by this chapter and the rules and regulations issued under this chapter or prescribe such other means for transmission of records as will accomplish the purpose of complete and accurate registration;

     (3)  Shall assist in preparing and publishing reports of vital statistics of this state and other reports required by the department;

     (4)  May establish or designate additional offices in the state to aid in the administration of the statewide system of vital records;

     (5)  May delegate functions and duties vested in the state registrar to employees of the office of vital records and to employees of an office established or designated under subdivision (b)(4); and

     (6)  Shall provide copies of certificates or reports required under this chapter or other information derived from the certificates or reports as the state registrar shall determine are necessary to local health agencies for local health planning and program activities. The state registrar shall establish a schedule for transmittal of the copies with each local health agency. The records or other information shall remain the property of the office of vital records and the uses that may be made of the records or other information shall be governed by the state registrar. A schedule for the disposition of the certificates, reports or data provided under this section and § 68-3-103 shall be established by the state registrar.

[Acts 1977, ch. 128, § 3; T.C.A., §§ 53-404, 53-405.]