N.Y. Public Health Law § 2304: Sexually transmitted diseases; treatment facilities; administration

§ 2304. Sexually transmitted diseases; treatment facilities;

administration. 1. It shall be the responsibility of each board of

health of a health district to provide adequate facilities for the

diagnosis and treatment of persons living within its jurisdiction who

are suspected of being infected or are infected with a sexually

transmitted disease.

2. The health officer of said health district shall administer these

facilities directly or through contract and shall promptly examine or

arrange for the examination of persons suspected of being infected with

a sexually transmitted disease, and shall promptly institute treatment

or arrange for the treatment of those found or otherwise known to be

infected with a sexually transmitted disease, provided that any person

may, at his option, be treated at his own expense by a licensed

physician of his choice.

3. The facilities provided by the board of health and the

administration of these facilities by the health officer shall comply

with requirements of the commissioner.

4. Each board of health and local health officer shall ensure that

diagnosis and treatment services are available and, to the greatest

extent practicable, seek third party coverage or indemnification for

such services; provided, however, that no board of health, local health

officer, or other municipal officer or entity shall request or require

that such coverage or indemnification be utilized as a condition of

providing diagnosis or treatment services.

5. The term "health officer" as used in this article shall mean a

county health officer, a city health officer, a town health officer, a

village health officer, the health officer of a consolidated health

district or a state district health officer.