HB 271 -- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

This bill allows a health care practitioner who provides medical
treatment to a health care worker or a law enforcement officer
to contact the Department of Health and request the HIV
infection status of an individual who exposed the health care
worker or the law enforcement officer to blood or other bodily
fluids.  If the information is on file, the department may
disclose it.  The health care practitioner can disclose the
information to the health care worker or law enforcement officer
if it is necessary to ensure proper treatment.  A person is
guilty of a class A misdemeanor if improper disclosure of such
information occurs.

HB 271 -- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
(Clayton)

This bill allows a health care practitioner who provides medical
treatment to a health care worker or a law enforcement officer
to contact the Department of Health and request the HIV
infection status of an individual who exposed the health care
worker or the law enforcement officer to blood or other bodily
fluids.  If the information is on file, the department may
disclose it.  The health care practitioner can disclose the
information to the health care worker or law enforcement officer
if it is necessary to ensure proper treatment.  A person is
guilty of a class A misdemeanor if improper disclosure of such
information occurs.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 271 -- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

SPONSOR:  Clayton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Correctional and State Institutions by a vote of 18 to 0.

This bill allows a health care practitioner who provides medical
treatment to a health care worker or a law enforcement officer
to contact the Department of Health and request the HIV
infection status of an individual who exposed the health care
worker or the law enforcement officer to blood or other bodily
fluids.  If the information is on file, the department may
disclose it.  The health care practitioner can disclose the
information to the health care worker or law enforcement officer
if it is necessary to ensure proper treatment.  A person is
guilty of a class A misdemeanor if improper disclosure of such
information occurs.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that currently there are
confidentiality laws regarding the disclosure of medical records
for persons who are infected with the AIDS virus or who are HIV
positive.  In certain cases where the possibility arises that a
person in the medical industry or a member of law enforcement
has come in contact with someone's blood, it is necessary for
these people to contact the Department of Health and find out if
those individuals they have come in contact with have the AIDS
virus or are HIV positive.  Not everyone infected is going to be
registered with the department, but if they are it can give
these people a head start on treatment.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parker; Missouri
State Highway Patrol; Missouri Department of Corrections;
Missouri Department of Health; and Missouri Fraternal Order of
Police.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

HB 271 -- Disclosure of Information for Medical Treatment

Sponsor:  Clayton

This bill allows a health care practitioner who provides medical
treatment to a health care worker or a law enforcement officer
to contact the Department of Health and request the HIV
infection status of an individual who exposed the health care
worker or the law enforcement officer to blood or other bodily
fluids.  If the information is on file, the department may
disclose it.  The health care practitioner can disclose the
information to the health care worker or law enforcement officer
if it is necessary to ensure proper treatment.  A person is
guilty of a class A misdemeanor if improper disclosure of such
information occurs.