The Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), adopts an amendment to §181.28, concerning Instructions and Requirements for Issuance of Certified Copies of Vital Records by the State Registrar, Local Registrar, or County Clerk.

The amendment to §181.28 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 17, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 3525). This rule will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The amendment to §181.28 amends the list of security features in the rule. This change allows DSHS to increase the security of vital statistics paper by removing detailed information on security features from public access. The amendment also increases DSHS's flexibility to address changes in security technology and ensures a steady supply of security paper from qualified vendors.

COMMENTS

The 31-day comment period ended July 18, 2022.

During this period, DSHS did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code §531.0055, which provides that the Executive Commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies; and Texas Health and Safety Code §191.003, which authorizes rules necessary for the effective administration of Vital Statistics Records; and Texas Health and Safety Code §1001.075, which authorizes the Executive Commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by DSHS and for the administration of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.