As used in this section, "infectious agent" means a microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, or similar agent that causes disease or death in human beings.

(A) No person shall knowingly possess, send, receive, or cause to be sent or received an isolate or derivative of an isolate of an infectious agent, except as permitted by division (B) of this section.

(B) A person may possess, send, receive, or cause to be sent or received an isolate or derivative of an isolate of an infectious agent as permitted by state or federal law, including for purposes of biomedical or biotechnical research or production, provision of health care services, or investigation of disease by public health agencies.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of improperly handling infectious agents, a felony of the second degree.

Effective Date: 09-10-1996.