DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burford HB No. 340
Abstract: Requires such actions as are necessary for timely and efficient preparation, filing, and
issuance of vital records; and establishes quality customer service as a priority of the vital
records registry in carrying out its duties to the public.
Present law establishes a central vital records registry within the DHH office of preventive and
public health services and a registrar of vital records for the state. Further provides for general
authority and duties of the state registrar.
Proposed law provides that it is the intent of the legislature for services of the vital records
registry to be delivered in a timely and efficient manner, and requires the state registrar to take
the following actions for the purpose of providing the highest possible quality of service to the
public:
(1)Ensure that the process for issuance of certified copies of vital records which are properly
requested in accordance with the provisions of present law is conducted in a timely and
efficient manner.
(2)Promulgate any rules and implement all such policies as are necessary to establish quality
customer service as a priority of the registry in carrying out its duties to the public.
(3)Ensure that the local registrar designated for each parish pursuant to present law keeps
such operating hours as are necessary to facilitate timely filing of death certificates and a
high quality of service to the public overall.
Proposed law authorizes the state registrar of vital records to take any administrative actions
necessary to improve the efficiency of the process for issuing certified copies of vital records in
order to improve the customer service functions of his office. Requires the registrar to ensure
that such actions are conducted in a manner which preserves the integrity of vital records.
Proposed law requires the state registrar to promulgate any rules and implement any policies as
are necessary to ensure that issuance of certified copies of vital records which are properly
requested in accordance with the provisions of present law is conducted in the most timely and
efficient manner practicable.
Present law provides for duties of the state registrar relative to local registrars of vital records.
Proposed law retains present law and adds to such duties by requiring the state registrar to ensure that the local registrar for each parish is available during all such hours as are necessary to
facilitate the following:
(1)Timely filing of death certificates.
(2)Timely issuance of death certificates to persons entitled to such records pursuant to the
provisions of present law.
Present law requires a funeral director, or person acting as such for the purposes of present law,
to prepare and file death certificates in accordance with the provisions of present law. Proposed
law adds requirement that the funeral director or person acting as such prepare and file death
certificates in the most timely manner possible in each circumstance.
Present law requires the funeral director, or other person required by present law to initiate a
death certificate, to initiate such certificate in original only and to file the original with a local
registrar. Proposed law adds a condition stipulating that upon completion of a death certificate,
the funeral director or person acting as such shall file the original with a local registrar as soon as
is practicable, but in no case more than 48 hours after completion of the certificate.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 40:37, 39.1(D), 49(A), and 50(A); Adds R.S. 40:33(H), 36(H), 41(C)(6), and
50(D))