Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws NAPHSIS – Cincinnati – June,

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws The Arizona Legislature struck and replaced all of the state’s vital records statutes in The new statutes went into effect in August of This resulted in many significant changes for Arizona Vital Records.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Differentiates between a “System of Vital Records,” and a “System of Public Health Statistics.” The State Registrar may Appoint, Direct, Supervise and Remove Local Registrars and Deputy Local Registrars.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Requires local registrars to “Administer and Enforce” the statutes and rules. Does away with “Class A” and “Class B” Registration Districts. Permits Vital Records to conduct on-site inspections of records to assure accuracy.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Requires a Medical Examiner to complete the cause-of-death within 72 hours or enter “Pending” and sign the death certificate. Requires a funeral director to file a completed death certificate with the local registrar or state registrar within 7 days of the date he takes possession of the remains.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Does away with late death registration. Nurse Practitioners can now sign death certificates certifying cause-of-death. Allows for removal of remains and transport across county lines without a permit.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Foreign Presumptive Death § “ The state registrar shall create and register a death certificate for a foreign presumptive death if the state registrar receives a court order issued in this state of a presumptive death of a resident of this state in a foreign country.”

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Physical signatures are no longer required on death certificates. Allows for electronic signatures. Allows for a new electronic death registry

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws (Positive +) Allows for the drafting of new rules governing our processes. (Negative -) Rules process can take up to two years.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws -New Electronic Systems – False start, RFP with no requirements. Three consultants reviewed all of our processes and developed and documented requirements definitions. New RFP hit the streets May 18.

Arizona Legislative Changes to Vital Records Laws Bids due by June 30. Hope to award a contract by late August or early September. Roll out the new systems sometime in 2006.