The State Board of Health shall have charge of an Office of Vital Statistics. The Office of Vital Statistics shall install, maintain, and operate the only system of vital statistics and the only system of health statistics throughout this state. The Office of Vital Statistics shall be provided with sufficient staff, suitable offices, and other resources for the proper administration of the system of vital statistics and for the preservation and adequate security of its official records. The State Board of Health, hereinafter referred to as "the board," may adopt, amend, and repeal rules for the purpose of carrying out this chapter.
Ala. Code § 22-9A-2 (1975)