Donna L. Moore, MBA, PMP, CLSSBB
Chief Strategy Officer
State Registrar & Director
Georgia Department of Public Health
State Office of Vital Records
November 7, 2017


Greetings:
 
We are re-sending our previous email referencing the amended regulations in Chapter 511-1-3 “Vital Records” pursuant to its authority under O.C.G.A. §31-2A-6 and 31-10-3 that will be effective November 14, 2017. 

These changes were made to simplify the regulations and make them more comprehensive in regards to the reporting of death information; to clear away obsolete language and update them to reflect the modern reality that vital events are increasingly being reported through electronic means; and to serve the public by providing for a quicker and more efficient electronic means for reporting death information. 

The amendments affect seven existing regulations: DPH Rule 511-1-3-.19 has been replaced in its entirety including a title change; DPH Rules 511-1-3-.21, -.23, -.25, -.26, and -.38 have been amended; and DPH Rule 511-1-3-.20 has been repealed.
I draw your attention to the following changes included in the regulations mentioned above. However; please read the attached regulations in their entirety.

Amended & Title Change: 511-1-3-.19 Reporting of Deaths

(2) Manner of reporting Death reports, including the certification of cause of death, shall be filed electronically with the Office of Vital Records in such manner as may be determined by the State Registrar.

(5) Cause of death.  The electronic death report filed in accordance with subsections (1) through (4) of this Rule shall be supplemented by an electronic report of the cause of death. The cause of death shall be reported by:

(6) When reporting is due.

(a) The report of death shall be made within three calendar days after death.

(b) Certification of the cause of death shall be made within three calendar days after death; provided, however, that if death occurred without medical attendance, or in cases subject to inquiry under Title 45, Chapter 16, Article 2, certification shall be made within 30 days after notification of death.

(c) If for any reason the cause of death cannot be determined within 48 hours after death then “under review” shall be entered on the death report and amended promptly after the determination is made. Until the cause of death is certified, final disposition of the body shall not be made unless authorized by the attending physician or, with regard to a body subject to inquiry under Title 45, Chapter 16, Article 2, by the county coroner or medical examiner.

Repealed: 511-1-3-.20 Hospital or Institution May Assist in Preparation of Death Certificate

Amended: 511-1-3-.21 Disposition of Reports of Induced Terminations of Pregnancy

(1) Reports of induced termination of pregnancy are collected solely for epidemiological purposes. Such reports may be retained for as long as the State Registrar deems necessary and then shall be destroyed. 

Amended: 511-1-3-.23 Permits for Disposition, Disinterment and Reinterment.

(1) An authorization for disinterment and reinterment of a dead body shall be issued by the local registrar upon receipt of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing such disinterment, or upon receipt of a written application signed jointly by the surviving spouse, or the next of kin in the absence of a surviving spouse; the owner of the cemetery plot; and the person who is in charge of the disinterment.

(3) The local registrar shall make arrangements to ensure that disposition permits may be issued 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For this purpose, the local registrar may appoint local persons or entities, including hospitals, hospices, and funeral homes, to serve as deputy local registrars for the limited purpose of issuing disposition permits in accordance with this Rule.

(4) A disposition permit shall not be issued until the cause of death has been certified by a person authorized to do so under DPH Rule 511-1-3-.19(5) or, with regard to a body subject to inquiry under Title 45, Chapter 16, Article 2, until the county coroner or medical examiner has given approval for disposition.

Amended: 511-1-3-.25 All Other Amendments.

(5) The affidavit to correct a death certificate under the provisions of this Rule, may be accepted from the informant, the funeral director responsible for completing the certificate, the person who originally certified cause of death , or a family member of the decedent.

Amended: 511-1-3-.26 Who May Apply to Amend a Vital Record.

(2) To amend a death certificate or a spontaneous fetal death certificate, application may be made by the informant listed on the certificate, a family member, their legal representative, or the funeral director or person acting as such (text in red deleted 11/14/17) who signed the death certificate or spontaneous fetal death certificate. Application to amend the cause of death may be made only by the physician who originally certified cause of death, the attending physician of the decedent, or the coroner or medical examiner.

Amended: 511-1-3-.38 Transmittal of Certificates and Reports.

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, a completed report of the live birth, death, or spontaneous fetal death filed with a local registrar shall be transmitted to the State Office of Vital Records within two business days of receipt by the local registrar.

These changes are effective November 14, 2017. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at the State Office.  Thank you for all that you do and know that we appreciate you in your service as our local vital records office.

Please click the link below to download a copy of the updates.


Sincerely,
Donna L. Moore, MBA, PMP, CLSSBB
State Registrar & Director
Georgia Department of Public Health/State Office of Vital Records
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