Vital Records Rulemaking

Revisor's ID #4791

The Minnesota Department of Health is proposing the first of two rulemaking projects to revise Minnesota Rules, Ch. 4601, which govern the registration, amending, and issuance of birth and deaths records. In the first project, MDH intends to update the rules by eliminating obsolete and revising out-of-date language and resolving inconsistencies between the rules and the relevant statute. Minnesota state agencies adopt new (and alter existing) state rules to help administer or add specificity to the laws they enforce. 

Once a rule is adopted, it has the force and effect of law, so it's critical that those potentially affected by the rule change have a voice in the process. The rulemaking process offers several opportunities for affected parties and the public to offer input and feedback on rules. To be notified of rulemaking activities and opportunities to provide feedback and comments, sign up for our rulemaking email list.

All proposed rule language, supporting documents, public meetings, and public comment opportunities will be posted here as they are available.

Goals

This rulemaking process proposes to change the rules in Chapter 4601 to:  

• Eliminate outdated requirements and duplicative language
• Align with the Minnesota Vital Records Act
• Align with current business practices and tools 
• Integrate language that considers technological advances and system modernization
• Follow best practices of the national vital statistics system specifications, the National Association of Public Health Statistics, and Information Systems Model Law (2023 revision)  
• Synchronize with the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) vital records and vital statistics office accreditation standards and measures
• Create new language or a new part to the chapter to address an operational limitation

Please contact State Registrar Molly Crawford (molly.crawford@state.mn.us, 651-201-5972) with questions or feedback.

Proposed timeline