CONFIDENTIALITY

(a) Reports, records, and information obtained under this chapter: (1) are not public information; (2) are not subject to the requirements of Chapter 552, Government Code; (3) are not subject to subpoena; and (4) may not otherwise be released or made public except as provided by this section or Section 52B.004. (b) 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 the department determines are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (c) 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; or (2) with the consent of each person identified in the information. (d) 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's medical records used in submitting information required under this chapter unless the individual consents in advance. (e) Information furnished to a sickle cell disease registry or a sickle cell researcher under Subsection (c) is for the confidential use of the sickle cell disease registry or the sickle cell researcher, as applicable, and is subject to Subsection (a). (f) The department's institutional review board established under Chapter 108 shall review and approve requests for access to information that identifies individuals in the sickle cell disease registry.