House Sponsors: HAMOS-FEIGENHOLTZ. Short description: IDPH-IMMUNIZATIONS-REGISTRY Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Communicable Disease Prevention Act. Adds definitions of certain terms. Adds statements of public policy. Changes references to a child's "guardian" to "legal guardian". Adds provisions requiring that immunization information for children age 18 or under be reported to the State immunization registry maintained by the Department of Public Health. Provides that no person shall be liable for civil damages or professional discipline as a result of the reporting of immunization information to the State immunization registry, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Authorizes the release of information from the registry to certain individuals and entities for the purpose of providing immunization services and for other purposes. Makes unauthorized use or misuse of the registry a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes "other health professional" from the definition of "health care provider". Provides that the State immunization registry shall include identifying information and locating information "if known". Provides that immunization information shall be released by an authorized user of the registry or by the Department of Public Health only upon written request and only to a patient, parent, or legal guardian (instead of released upon written request to a patient, parent, or legal guardian). Provides that a health care provider who has provided immunization services to a patient shall release information concerning those services only to the patient or to the patient's parent or legal guardian and only upon that person's request, but the request need not be written. Requires a health care provider to inform a parent or guardian about the parent or guardian's right to refuse to participate in the State immunization registry and the right to delete or limit information in the registry. Provides that statistical reports on the status of immunizations may not include any information that could be used to identify a patient or a patient's parent or guardian. Makes the use of immunization information in connection with third party payer payments subject to the consent of the patient's parent or guardian. Requires the Department of Public Health to comply with a request by a patient, parent, or guardian for a limitation on the transfer of immunization information under certain conditions. Makes other changes. FISCAL NOTE (Department of Public Health) The Department's Immunization Section currently receives federal funding to support implementation of the TOTS Registry. The Department's Information Technology Division utilizes limited GRF funds to support the continued development and enhancement of the system. It is assumed if this program is phased in over a period of time, existing revenues will cover the cost of the program. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status