N.Y. Public Health Law § 2003: Duties of department

§ 2003. Duties of department. 1. Alzheimer's disease reports and data

shall be maintained by the department in a manner suitable for research

purposes, and shall be made available to persons as set forth in

subdivision two of this section.

2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, all information

collected pursuant to this article shall be confidential insofar as the

identity of the individual patient is concerned and shall be used solely

for the purposes as provided in this article. Access to the information

shall be limited to the authorized employees of the department and

persons with a valid scientific interest and qualifications, as defined

by the commissioner, who are engaged in demographic, epidemiological or

other similar studies related to health, and who agree, in writing, to

maintain confidentiality as established by the commissioner.

3. The department shall maintain an accurate record of all persons who

are given access to the information contained in the Alzheimer's disease

reports. The record shall include the name of the person authorizing

access, the name, title and organizational affiliation of persons given

access, dates of access, and the specific purpose for which information

is to be used. The record of access shall be open to public inspection

during normal operating hours of the department.

4. Any person who, in violation of a written agreement to maintain

confidentiality, discloses any information provided pursuant to this

section, or who uses information provided pursuant to this section in a

manner other than that prescribed by the commissioner, may be denied

further access to any confidential information maintained by the

department.