Confidentiality and protection of collected data, proceedings and activities

Act 24 of 2018, § 7, under MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW ACT - ENACTMENT.

Act 24 of 2018, § 7

Section 7. Confidentiality and protection of collected data, proceedings and activities.

(a) Maintenance.--The committee shall maintain the confidentiality of any identifying information obtained relating to a maternal death, including the names of the deceased, guardians, family members, caretakers and alleged or suspected perpetrators of abuse, neglect or a criminal act.

(b) Agreement.--Each member of the committee and any person appearing before the committee shall sign a confidentiality agreement applicable to all proceedings and reviews conducted by the committee.

(c) Liability.--An individual or agency that in good faith provides information or records to the department shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability as a result of providing the information or record.

(d) Discovery.--The proceedings, deliberations and records of the committee are privileged and confidential and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena or introduction into evidence in a civil or criminal action.

(e) Meetings.--Meetings of the committee at which a specific maternal death is discussed shall be closed to the public and shall not be subject to the provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).

(f) Attendance.--Nothing in this act shall prevent the committee from allowing the attendance of a person, including a parent, with information relevant to a review at a committee meeting.

(g) Penalty.--A person who violates the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(h) Information collection.--Information collected under this act shall be summarized and reported in an aggregated, nonindividually identifiable manner.

(i) Applicability of Right-to-Know Law.--Information collected under this act shall be exempt from the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.