Title 16, HEALTH

Sec. 3. (a) A hospital, or a debt collector or other third party on behalf of a hospital, may not pursue collection of a medical debt unless the hospital is in compliance with the following statutes, if applicable to the hospital: (1) IC 16-21-6. (2) IC 16-21-9. (3) IC 16-21-17.1…

Sec. 4. (a) The state department shall post and update a list of the noncompliant hospitals on the state department's website. (b) The state department shall adopt procedures for the following: (1) The state department's review of a hospital's compliance under this chapter, inclu…

Sec. 5. (a) The attorney general shall enforce any suspension under section 3(e) of this chapter and may do any of the following: (1) Investigate alleged violations. (2) Impose civil penalties of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation. (3) Order restitution to…

Sec. 6. An individual injured by a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action to recover in an appropriate court any of the following: (1) Actual damages. (2) Statutory damages not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (3) Injunctive relief. As added by P.L.124-2026, S…

Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies to persons and facilities that handle infectious waste, including the following: (1) Hospitals. (2) Ambulatory surgical facilities. (3) Medical laboratories. (4) Diagnostic laboratories. (5) Blood centers. (6) Pharmaceutical companies. (7) Academi…

Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "blood and blood products in liquid or semiliquid form" means blood and blood products that have intermediate fluid properties and are capable of flowing in a manner similar to a liquid. As added by P.L.96-2026, SEC.25.

Sec. 1.6. As used in this chapter, "container" means any portable device or material in which infectious waste is: (1) stored; (2) transported; (3) treated; (4) disposed of; or (5) otherwise handled. As added by P.L.96-2026, SEC.26.

Sec. 10. (a) The state department may commence an action under IC 4-21.5-3-6 or IC 4-21.5-4 for issuance of an order of compliance and a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation per day against a person who: (1) fails to comply with this chapter or …

Sec. 11. (a) Except as otherwise provided, a person who recklessly violates or fails to comply with this chapter commits a Class B misdemeanor. (b) Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-35-1.] As added by P.L.2-1993…

Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "contaminated sharp" means an object that meets the following conditions: (1) Is capable of cutting or penetrating the skin. (2) Has been in contact with blood or body fluids. (b) The term includes a hypodermic or suture needle, syringe, scalp…

Sec. 3. (a) As used in this chapter, "effective treatment" means treatment that meets the following conditions: (1) Reduces the pathogenic qualities of infectious waste to a point where the waste is safe to handle. (2) Is designed for the specific waste involved. (3) Is carried o…

Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), as used in this chapter, "infectious waste" means waste that epidemiologic evidence indicates is capable of transmitting a serious communicable disease (as set forth in the list published under IC 16-41-2-1). (b) The term…

Sec. 4.5. As used in this chapter, "laboratory animal carcasses, body parts, blood and body fluids, and bedding" means carcasses, body parts, blood and blood products in liquid or semiliquid form, and bedding of animals that have been intentionally or are suspected of having been…

Sec. 4.6. As used in this chapter, "mortuary" means a funeral home (as defined in IC 25-15-2-15). As added by P.L.96-2026, SEC.29.

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "pathological waste" includes: (1) tissues; (2) organs; (3) body parts; and (4) blood or body fluids in liquid or semiliquid form; that are removed during surgery, biopsy, or autopsy. The term does not include an aborted fetus or a miscarried fetu…

Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "secure area" means an area that is designed and maintained to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-9.7-5.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.24.

Sec. 6.6. As used in this chapter, "waste handler" means a person who handles infectious waste. As added by P.L.96-2026, SEC.30.

Sec. 6.9. (a) A person who generates infectious waste is responsible for the: (1) appropriate containment; (2) appropriate labeling; (3) effective treatment; (4) transport; and (5) disposal of; infectious waste as required by this chapter. (b) A person may provide services to the…

Sec. 7. (a) Before infectious waste is placed in an area that is not a secure area and before the waste is sent for final disposal, a person shall: (1) conduct effective treatment on the infectious waste on site; or (2) transport the infectious waste off site for effective treatm…

Sec. 7.5. Any waste that is not infectious waste (as defined in section 4(c) of this chapter) must be double bagged and tied to protect handlers. As added by P.L.146-1996, SEC.7.

Sec. 7.6. (a) This section applies to a person or facility possessing either an aborted fetus or a miscarried fetus. (b) Within ten (10) business days after a miscarriage occurs or an abortion is performed, a person or facility described in subsection (a) shall: (1) conduct the f…

Sec. 7.7. (a) A person shall ensure that infectious waste is, at all times, contained in a manner that will reasonably protect: (1) a waste handler; and (2) the public; from contracting a dangerous communicable disease that may result from exposure to the infectious waste. (b) A …

Sec. 7.8. A person shall have written policies and procedures that include at least the following: (1) The requirements of this chapter. (2) The sanctions for failing to comply with the requirements of this chapter, including the discipline and dismissal of a person. (3) The inst…

Sec. 7.9. (a) If infectious waste is stored before final disposal, a person shall do the following: (1) Store the infectious waste in a secure area that: (A) is locked or otherwise secured to eliminate access by or exposure to the public; (B) affords protection from adverse envir…

Sec. 8. (a) After consulting with an advisory committee composed of representatives of persons or facilities that handle infectious wastes, the state department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 necessary to carry out this chapter. (b) The state department may adopt rules under thi…

Sec. 8.5. (a) A person shall: (1) transport infectious waste in a manner that reasonably protects waste handlers and the public from contracting a dangerous communicable disease; and (2) before the infectious waste in compacted, conduct effective treatment of the infectious waste…

Sec. 9. (a) The state department may designate an agent who may enter on private property to inspect for and investigate possible violations of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter if the following conditions are met: (1) The agent has probable cause to believe that e…

Sec. 1. (a) The state department shall develop a strategic plan to identify and significantly reduce the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Indiana. (b) In developing the strategic plan under subsection (a), the state department shall collaborate with the office of the sec…

Sec. 2. In developing and updating the strategic plan under section 1 of this chapter, the workgroups established under section 1(c) of this chapter shall do the following: (1) Establish baseline benchmarks for diabetes and prediabetes in Indiana using Indiana specific data. (2) …

Sec. 3. Before December 31, 2019, the state department shall deliver a written report to the governor and, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, to the general assembly that includes: (1) the strategic plan developed under section 1 of this chapter; and (2) recommendations on …

Sec. 4. This chapter expires July 1, 2026. As added by P.L.33-2018, SEC.1.