Sec. 82.009. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Reports, records, and information obtained under this chapter are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, are not subject to subpoena, and may not otherwise be released or made public except as provided by this section or Section 82.008(h). The reports, records, and information obtained under this chapter are for the confidential use of the department and the persons or public or private entities that the department determines are necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter.

(b) Medical or epidemiological information may be released:

(1) for statistical purposes in a manner that prevents identification of individuals, health care facilities, clinical laboratories, or health care practitioners;

(2) with the consent of each person identified in the information; or

(3) to promote cancer research, including release of information to other cancer registries and appropriate state and federal agencies, under rules adopted by the executive commissioner to ensure confidentiality as required by state and federal laws.

(c) A state employee may not testify in a civil, criminal, special, or other proceeding as to the existence or contents of records, reports, or information concerning an individual whose medical records have been used in submitting data required under this chapter unless the individual consents in advance.

(d) Data furnished to a cancer registry or a cancer researcher under Subsection (b) or Section 82.008(h) is for the confidential use of the cancer registry or the cancer researcher, as applicable, and is subject to Subsection (a).

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(90), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 343, Sec. 2, eff. May 27, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1411, Sec. 23.02, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 589, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0256, eff. April 2, 2015.