make a prompt report of the disease in the manner prescribed by
regulation to the local board or department of health which
serves the municipality where the patient or resident resides or
to the department if so provided by regulation.
Section 15. Confidentiality of Reports and Records.--
(a) State and local health authorities may not disclose
reports of diseases, any records maintained as a result of any
action taken in consequence of such reports, or any other
records maintained pursuant to this act or any regulations, to
any person who is not a member of the department or of a local
board or department of health, except [where necessary to carry
out the purposes of this act.] as follows:
(1) Where necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
(2) Under a proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the
Governor that is based upon a communicable disease, the
secretary or local health authority shall release, within 24
hours of receiving information of a confirmed case of a
communicable disease, individually identifiable health
information RELATED TO THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE to 911 centers,
law enforcement officers, fire department personnel , CORONERS
and emergency medical services personnel, in each county of this
Commonwealth. 911 centers, law enforcement officers, fire
department personnel , CORONERS and emergency medical services
personnel shall follow all applicable Federal and State laws,
regulations and confidentiality standards.
(b) State and local health authorities may permit the use of
data contained in disease reports and other records, maintained
pursuant to this act, or any regulation, for research purposes,
subject to strict supervision by the health authorities to
insure that the use of the reports and records is limited to the
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