Chapter 3: Texas Vital Statistics – 2025 Update (Mandatory) 2 CE Hours
By: Taylor Walding Learning outcomes
After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Outline the steps for filing for death certificates in the State of Texas. Recall the navigation of meeting/exceeding time limits for death certificate filing. Course overview This course is intended for Texas funeral service professionals seeking to renew their licenses. The course reviews Texas legislation, administrative code, and regulations pertaining to vital statistics, death records, cemeteries, cemetery organizations, lawn crypts, and disinterment permits. Relevant sections of the Texas Health
Recognize definitions of terms used in provisions of cemeteries. Recall who can and cannot control the disposition of a decedent. Identify the areas of the Administrative Code associated with the death care industry. and Safety Code and Texas Administrative Code are summarized with a focus on recent updates to the code. The course satisfies the two continuing education hours in vital statistics requirements and regulations mandated by the Texas Funeral Service Commission prior to license renewal.
INTRODUCTION
Title 25, Chapter 181 (Texas Funeral Service Commission [TFSC], 2023). Per TAC, Title 22, Part 10, Section 203.8(f)(3), this course reviews legislation in the following chapters of the Texas Health and Safety Code: ● Chapter 193 Death Records. ● Chapter 711 General Provisions Relating to Cemeteries. The course also reviews Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 181, along with any recent rule changes, amendments, or additions from the aforementioned chapters of the TAC. The first section of this course is devoted to death registration in the Texas vital registration system. It provides instructions for completing and filing death certificates along with related permits. We will subsequently review the rules relating to cemeteries, types of cemeteries, and miscellaneous provisions that apply to the funeral industry in Texas. techniques. These statistics are used to assess the general health of Texas citizens. Mortality statistics also help identify diseases found among specific groups of people and determine where medical research may have the greatest impact on reducing mortality. Statistical information is also used to allocate medical and nursing services and to follow the course of infectious diseases. Because mortality statistics are no more accurate than the information submitted on death certificates, it is very important that all death certificates be completed and filed with accuracy and promptness.
The Texas Department of State Health Services’ Vital Statistics Section (VSS) maintains vital records for the state of Texas. These vital records, according to the Texas Vital Statistics Section’s website, include: ● Birth and death certificates. ● Marriage applications. ● Divorce records. The Texas Vital Statistics Section’s mission is to collect, protect, and provide access to vital records and vital records data. The website can be accessed at https://www.dshs. texas.gov/vital-statistics. Texas funeral service professionals are required to complete a course in vital statistics requirements and regulations prior to renewing their license. Texas Administrative Code [TAC], Title 22, Part 10, Rule §203.8(f)(3) states that the continuing education credit hours provided must contain: ● Vital Statistics Requirements and Regulations—two credit hours—this course must at least cover Health and Safety Code Chapters 193, 711, and Tex. Admin. Code, Death certificate A death certificate is a permanent legal record of an individual’s death and is extremely important to the family of the deceased person. The information recorded on the death certificate is used to apply for insurance benefits, to settle pension claims, and to transfer both real and personal property titles. Information recorded on a death certificate provides evidence of the fact of death and can be produced as evidence in a court of law. The death certificate provides important data on mortality that is used in a variety of medical and health-related research efforts. Mortality statistics identify the causes of death and help evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic
SECTION I. HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. TITLE 3. VITAL STATISTICS
Chapter 193. Death Records The text discussed here is the latest version of the chapter provided on the state of Texas website. It can be accessed at https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=HS.
Sec. 193.003. Time and Place for Filing Death Certificate (a) Not later than the 10th day after the date of a death that occurs in this state, a death certificate shall be filed with the local registrar of the registration district in which:
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Book Code: FTX1625
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