Texas Health and Safety Code
§ 193.005 — PERSONAL INFORMATION
HS § 193.005Title 3. VITAL STATISTICS · Ch. 193. DEATH RECORDS
Statute text
View on source(a)A person required to file a death certificate or fetal death certificate shall obtain the required medical certification from the decedent's attending physician, or a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse of the decedent, if the death occurred under the care of the person in connection with the treatment of the condition or disease process that contributed to the death. (a-1) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 733 (H.B. 4048), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2021.
(b)The attending physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse shall complete the medical certification not later than five days after receiving the death certificate.
(c)An associate physician, the chief medical officer of the institution where the death occurred, or the physician who performed an autopsy on the decedent may complete the medical certification if:
(1)the attending physician, the physician assistant, and the advanced practice registered nurse described by Subsection (a) are unavailable;
(2)the attending physician, the physician assistant, or the advanced practice registered nurse described by Subsection (a) approves; and
(3)the person completing the medical certification has access to the medical history of the case and the death is due to natural causes. Text of subsection effective until April 01, 2027
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Legislative history
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 285 (H.B. 93), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 302 (H.B. 1739), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 412 (S.B. 919), Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 509 (H.B. 2950), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 733 (H.B. 4048), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 733 (H.B. 4048), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2021. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 910 (H.B. 6), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 2.12, eff. April 1, 2027.