2012 Missouri Revised Statutes
TITLE XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
Chapter 191 Health and Welfare
Section 191.317 Confidentiality of all tests and personal information--exceptions--retention of specimens, procedure.

191.317. 1. All testing results and personal information obtained from any individual, or from specimens from any individual, shall be held confidential and be considered a confidential medical record, except for such information as the individual, parent or guardian consents to be released; but the individual must first be fully informed of the scope of the information requests to be released, of the risks, benefits and purposes for such release, and of the identity of those to whom the information will be released. Statistical data compiled without reference to the identity of any individual shall not be declared confidential. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department may release the results of newborn screening tests to a child's health care professional.

2. The specimen shall be retained for five years after initial submission to the department. After five years, the specimen shall be destroyed. Unless otherwise directed under this section, a biological specimen may be released for purposes of anonymous scientific study. At the time of collection, the parent or legal guardian of the child from whom a biological specimen was obtained may direct the department to:

(1) Return a biological specimen that remains after all screening tests have been performed;

(2) Destroy a biological specimen in a scientifically acceptable manner after all screening tests required under section 191.331 or rule promulgated thereunder have been performed; or

(3) Store a biological specimen but not release the biological specimen for anonymous scientific study.

3. A biological specimen released for anonymous study under this section shall not contain information that may be used to determine the identity of the donor.

(L. 1985 H.B. 612 191.315 subsec. 3, A.L. 2007 H.B. 948)

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