Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Subdivision; Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry. Amend RSA 125-Q by inserting after section 4 the following new subdivision:
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry
125-Q:5 Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry.
I. There shall be established a state registry in the department of health and human services which shall include a record of all reported cases of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind in New Hampshire and other information relevant and appropriate to conduct thorough and complete analysis of this condition, and to facilitate planning for services to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind and their families. The department may enter into an agreement with an appropriate entity for the management of the registry; provided, that any records and data submitted to the department pursuant to this subdivision shall be the property of the department.
II. All physicians and other licensed or certified health care providers who are qualified by training to make the diagnosis and who then make the diagnosis that a person of any age is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind shall report all new cases of this diagnosis to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The report shall be in writing and shall include the provider submitting the report's name and address, the deaf or hard of hearing or deaf/blind person's date of birth, gender, zip code at birth residence, zip code of present residence, specific diagnosis, and other information the department deems necessary. The department shall assign a unique identification code to identify the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind. The code shall not include the name or address of the person.
III. All information required to be reported under this subdivision shall be confidential. A physician or health care provider providing information to the department in accordance with this section shall not be deemed to be, or held liable for, divulging confidential information.
IV. Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel a person who has been reported as deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind to submit to medical or health examination or supervision by the department.
125-Q:6 Rulemaking. The commissioner of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
I. Definitions of the terms "deaf," "hard of hearing," and "deaf-blind."
II. Procedures for reporting cases of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind under RSA 125-Q:5.
III. Content of all forms required under this subdivision.
IV. Confidentiality of records and information reported pursuant to this subdivision.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Subdivision; Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry. Amend RSA 125-Q by inserting after section 4 the following new subdivision:
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry
125-Q:5 Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind Registry.
I. There shall be established a state registry in the department of health and human services which shall include a record of all reported cases of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind in New Hampshire and other information relevant and appropriate to conduct thorough and complete analysis of this condition, and to facilitate planning for services to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind and their families. The department may enter into an agreement with an appropriate entity for the management of the registry; provided, that any records and data submitted to the department pursuant to this subdivision shall be the property of the department.
II. All physicians and other licensed or certified health care providers who are qualified by training to make the diagnosis and who then make the diagnosis that a person of any age is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind shall report all new cases of this diagnosis to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The report shall be in writing and shall include the provider submitting the report's name and address, the deaf or hard of hearing or deaf/blind person's date of birth, gender, zip code at birth residence, zip code of present residence, specific diagnosis, and other information the department deems necessary. The department shall assign a unique identification code to identify the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind. The code shall not include the name or address of the person.
III. All information required to be reported under this subdivision shall be confidential. A physician or health care provider providing information to the department in accordance with this section shall not be deemed to be, or held liable for, divulging confidential information.
IV. Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel a person who has been reported as deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind to submit to medical or health examination or supervision by the department.
125-Q:6 Rulemaking. The commissioner of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
I. Definitions of the terms "deaf," "hard of hearing," and "deaf-blind."
II. Procedures for reporting cases of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind under RSA 125-Q:5.
III. Content of all forms required under this subdivision.
IV. Confidentiality of records and information reported pursuant to this subdivision.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.