WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 156

[1.] (I) The date, type, and result of the test that shows
evidence of a disease required to be reported;

[2. A.] (II) 1. Except as provided in item B 2 of this item,
the name, age, sex, and residence address of the patient from whom the specimen was
taken; and

[B.] 2. For reports of human immunodeficiency virus infection
and CD 4+ count under 200/MM3, the unique patient identifying number, age, sex, and
zip code of residence of the patient; and

[3.] (III) The name and address of the physician who requested
the test.

[(2) Each report of gonorrhea or syphilis shall be made on a separate report
form.]

(c)     This section does not relieve an attending physician of the duty to report
under § 18-201 of this subtitle.

(d)     A health officer shall inform the Secretary of each laboratory examination
report received under this section.

(e)     The Secretary, a health officer, or an agent of the Secretary or health officer
may discuss a laboratory report with the attending physician, but, if the physician is
reasonably available, may communicate with a patient only with the consent of the
attending physician.

(f)      (1) All laboratory reports required under this section are:

(i) Confidential;

(ii) Not open to public inspection; and

(iii) Subject to subpoena or discovery in a criminal or civil proceeding
only pursuant to a court order sealing the court record.

(2) This subsection does not apply to a disclosure by the Secretary to
another governmental agency performing its lawful duties as authorized by an act of the
Maryland General Assembly or the United States Congress where the Secretary
determines that:

(i) The agency to whom the information is disclosed will maintain the
confidentiality of the disclosure; and

(ii) The disclosure is necessary to protect the public health or to
prevent the spread of an infectious or contagious disease.

(g)     To assure compliance with this section, the Secretary, a health officer, or an
agent of the Secretary or health officer may inspect pertinent laboratory records.

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