(a) The State Registrar shall:
(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of this article and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, and issue instructions for the efficient administration of the system of vital statistics;
(2) Direct and supervise the system of vital statistics and the operation of the section of vital statistics, and act as custodian of its records;
(3) Direct, supervise, and control all activities pertaining to the operation of the system of vital statistics;
(4) Conduct training programs to promote uniformity of policy and procedures throughout the state in matters pertaining to the system of vital statistics;
(5) Prescribe, furnish, and distribute forms required by this article and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, and prescribe means for transmission of data to accomplish the purpose of complete and accurate reporting and registration;
(6) Prepare and publish annual reports of vital statistics of this state, and other reports required by the commissioner;
(7) Provide to local health agencies copies of or data derived from certificates and reports required under this article as the state Registrar may determine are necessary for local health planning and program activities: Provided, That the copies and data remain the property of the section of vital statistics, and the uses that may be made of them are governed by the state Registrar; and
(8) Offer voluntary paternity establishment services in accordance with federal regulations set forth in 45 CFR 303.5(g).
(b) The State Registrar may:
(1) Designate individuals in the state as meet the requirements provided by rule to aid in the efficient administration of the system of vital statistics;
(2) Delegate functions and duties to employees of the section of vital statistics and to individuals designated under subdivision (1) of this subsection;
(3) Investigate, personally or by a duly delegated representative, cases of irregularity or violation of law arising under the provisions of this article;
(4) Report cases of violation of any of the provisions of this article to the prosecuting attorney of the county, with a statement of the facts and circumstances. The prosecuting attorney may prosecute the person or corporation responsible for the alleged violation of law. Upon request of the state Registrar, the Attorney General shall assist in the enforcement of the provisions of this article.
Structure West Virginia Code
§16-5-2. Establishment of Section of Vital Statistics in Bureau for Public Health
§16-5-3. Department of Health and Human Resources to Propose Legislative Rules
§16-5-4. Appointment of State Registrar of Vital Statistics
§16-5-5. Powers and Duties of State Registrar
§16-5-6. Registration Districts
§16-5-7. Appointment and Removal of Local Registrars and Deputy Local Registrars
§16-5-8. Duties of Local Registrars and Deputy Local Registrars
§16-5-9. Content of Certificates and Reports
§16-5-9a. Legal Residences to Be Included on Certificates of Death
§16-5-10. Birth Registration Acknowledgment and Rescission of Paternity
§16-5-11. Registration of Infants and Minors Born With Specified Birth Defects
§16-5-12. Notation on Birth Records of Missing Children
§16-5-13. Registration of Infants of Unknown Parentage
§16-5-14. Delayed Registration of Births
§16-5-15. Judicial Procedure to Establish Facts of Birth
§16-5-16. Certificate of Adoption
§16-5-17. Court Reports of Determination of Paternity
§16-5-20. Delayed Registration of Death
§16-5-21. Reports of Fetal Death
§16-5-21a. Noah's Law; Certificate of Birth for a Stillbirth; and Contents of Certificate
§16-5-22. Reports of Abortions
§16-5-23. Authorization for Disposition and Disinterment and Reinterment Permits
§16-5-24. Extension of Time for Filing Certificates, Reports and Authorizations
§16-5-25. Correction and Amendment of Vital Records
§16-5-26. Reproduction and Preservation of Records
§16-5-27. Disclosure of Information From Vital Records or Vital Reports
§16-5-28. Copies From the System of Vital Statistics
§16-5-29. Fees for Copies and Searches
§16-5-30. Persons Required to Keep Records
§16-5-31. Duty to Furnish Information Relative to Vital Events
§16-5-32. Matching of Birth and Death Certificates
§16-5-33. Limitation on Use of Social Security Numbers
§16-5-34. Uniform System of Registration of Marriage, Divorce and Annulment of Marriage
§16-5-35. Registration of Marriages
§16-5-36. Registration of Divorces and Annulments of Marriages
§16-5-37. Applicability to Previously Received Certificates and Reports