CHAPTER 160

96-H 7844

Approved Aug. 5, 1996.

AN ACT RELATING TO CENTRAL REGISTRY OF TRAUMATIC HEAD AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 42-12-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-12 entitled "Department of Human Services" is hereby repealed in its entirety:

42-12-8.1. Vocational rehabilitation -- Registry of persons with head injuries. -- (a) The state department of human services is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to establish and maintain a central registry of persons suffering from acquired traumatic brain damage, if permanent disability is likely to result.

(b) Every hospital and attending physician shall report to the director of the department by the most expeditious means within fourteen (14) days after discharge of any person sustaining such an injury. The report shall contain the name, age, and residence of the person, date, and cause of the injury, and such additional information as the director may deem necessary.

SECTION 2. Chapter 23-1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Health" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 23-1-49. Registry of persons with head injuries and/or spinal cord injuries. -- (a) The state department of health is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to establish and maintain a central registry of persons suffering from acquired traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries.

(b) The state director of health shall require the reporting of all newly diagnosed traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries and the submission of such specified additional information on reported injuries as she or he deems necessary and appropriate for the recognition, prevention, or control of such injuries.

(c) The central traumatic brain and spinal cord injury registry shall maintain comprehensive records of all reports submitted pursuant to this section. These reports shall be confidential in accordance with chapter 37.3 of title 5 and subject to the restrictions on release incorporated therein.

(d) The state department of health shall make such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42. ADD}

SECTION 3. Severability. -- If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.


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