Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §42, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 295, §1, is amended to read:

5. Confidentiality of records containing certain medical information. Department records that contain personally identifying medical information that are created or obtained in connection with the department's public health activities or programs are confidential. These records include, but are not limited to, information on genetic, communicable, occupational or environmental disease entities, and information gathered from public health nurse activities, or any program for which the department collects personally identifying medical information.

The department's confidential records may not be open to public inspection, are not public records for purposes of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter I and may not be examined in any judicial, executive, legislative or other proceeding as to the existence or content of any individual's records obtained by the department.

Exceptions to this subsection include release of medical and epidemiologic information in such a manner that an individual can not be identified; disclosures that are necessary to carry out the provisions of chapter 250; disclosures made upon written authorization by the subject of the record, except as otherwise provided in this section; and disclosures that are specifically provided for by statute or by departmental rule.

Department records related to open, ongoing epidemiologic investigations, public health research and public health surveillance may not be disclosed, even upon written authorization by the subject of the record.

SUMMARY

This bill designates all records related to active public health investigations, surveillance and research as confidential.