HSB 509 (LSB 5387HC (2) 83)

HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES BILL BY CHAIRPERSON SMITH)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the disclosure of disease information reported to a public health department.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 22.7, subsection 16, Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   16.  Information in a report to the Iowa department of public health, to a local board of health, or to a local health department, which specifically identifies a person infected with a reportable disease.  However, this subsection shall not be construed to prevent the disclosure of the county of residence, health condition, sex, and approximate age of a person infected with a reportable disease.
    Sec. 2.  Section 139A.3, subsection 2, paragraphs b and c, Code 2009, are amended to read as follows:
   b.  A report or other information provided to or maintained by the department, a local board, or a local department, which specifically identifies a person infected with or exposed to a reportable or other disease or health condition, is confidential and shall not be accessible to the public. However, this paragraph shall not be construed to prevent the disclosure of the county of residence, health condition, sex, and approximate age of a person infected with or exposed to a reportable or other disease or health condition.
   c.  Notwithstanding paragraph “b”, information contained in the report, including the county of residence, health condition, sex, and approximate age of a person infected with or exposed to a reportable or other disease or health condition, may be reported in public health records in a manner which prevents the identification of any person or business named in the report. If information contained in the report concerns a business, information disclosing the identity of the business may be released to the public when the state epidemiologist or the director of public health determines such a release of information necessary for the protection of the health of the public.
EXPLANATION
   This bill provides for the disclosure of information included in reports to the department of public health, local boards of health, or local departments of health relating to reportable or other diseases or health conditions which does not specifically identify the individual. Such information may include the county of residence, health condition, sex, and approximate age of a person infected with or exposed to a reportable or other disease or health condition.