Access to and Disclosure of Protected Health

Information. (a) Access. Access to protected health information of persons who have participated in medical testing, treatment, vaccination, isolation, or quarantine programs or efforts by the public health authority during a public health emergency shall be limited to those persons having a legitimate need to acquire or use the information to: (1) provide treatment to the individual who is the subject of the health information; (2) conduct epidemiologic research; or (3) investigate the causes of transmission. (b) Disclosure. Protected health information held by the public health authority shall not be disclosed to others without individual written, specific informed consent, except for disclosures made: (1) directly to the individual; (2) to the individual=s immediate family members or personal representative; (3) to appropriate Federal agencies or authorities pursuant to Federal law; (4) pursuant to a court order to avert a clear danger to an individual or to the public health; or (5) to identify a deceased individual or determine the manner or cause of death.