§ 191.002. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT.

(a) The department shall administer the registration of vital statistics.

(b) The department shall:

(1) establish a vital statistics unit in the department with suitable offices that are properly equipped for the preservation of its official records;

(2) establish a statewide system of vital statistics;

(3) provide instructions and prescribe forms for collecting, recording, transcribing, compiling, and preserving vital statistics;

(4) require the enforcement of this title and rules adopted under this title;

(5) prepare, print, and supply to local registrars forms for registering, recording, and preserving returns or otherwise carrying out the purposes of this title; and

(6) propose legislation necessary for the purposes of this title.

(c) The department may use birth records and provide those records on request to other state agencies for programs notifying mothers of young children about children's health needs.