§31.66.  Confidentiality; cooperation with other state and federal entities

A.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all information collected pursuant to this Part shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery.  Such information shall not be released, except to persons with a valid scientific interest who are engaged in demographic, epidemiological, or other similar studies related to health who meet qualifications as determined by the department, and who agree, in writing and according to standards which shall be determined by the department, to maintain confidentiality.  In addition, the individual or individuals to whom the information pertains shall be permitted access to his or her own information upon written request.

B.  The department and any regional Parkinson's disease registry designated by the department may enter into agreements to furnish confidential information to other states' Parkinson's disease registries, federal Parkinson's disease control agencies, local health officers, or health researchers for the purpose of determining the sources of Parkinson's disease and evaluating measures designed to eliminate, alleviate, or ameliorate their effect.  Before confidential information is disclosed to those agencies, officers, researchers, or out-of-state registries, the requesting entity shall agree in writing, and according to standards and requirements to be determined by the department, to maintain the confidentiality of the information.

C.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any disclosure authorized in accordance with this Section shall include only the information necessary for the stated purpose of the requested disclosure, used for the approved purpose, and not be further disclosed.

D.  The furnishing of confidential information to the department or its authorized representative in accordance with this Section shall not expose any person, agency, or entity furnishing information to liability and shall not be considered a waiver of any privilege or a violation of a confidential relationship.

E.  The department shall maintain an accurate record of all persons who are given access to confidential information.  The records shall include the name of the person authorizing access; name, title, address, and organizational affiliation of persons given access; dates of access; and the specific purpose for which information is to be used.  The record of access shall be open to public inspection during normal operating hours of the department.

F.  Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the publication by the department of reports and statistical compilations that do not in any way identify individual cases or individual sources of information.

Acts 2005, No. 210, §1.