Maine § 808. - Investigations

§ 808.. Investigations

1.  Investigative team.  The department shall establish an investigative team and procedures for the detection and treatment of individuals known or reasonably believed to pose a public health threat, as defined in section 801. Team members designated by the department shall have access to medical and laboratory records relevant to the investigation of the public health threat, according to the procedure set forth in subsection 2. Team members shall also have access to medical and laboratory records in the possession of the department when relevant to the investigation of the public health threat. Team members designated by the department shall follow the procedures developed by the department for detection and treatment pursuant to this subsection.

2.  Subpoenas.  After notice to the subject of the information or records, the department, with the approval of the Attorney General, may issue subpoenas requiring persons to disclose or provide to the department information or records in their possession that are relevant to an investigation of a report of a public health threat. Approval of the Attorney General may be given when there is clear evidence of substantial public health need for the information sought. The department may apply to the District Court to enforce a subpoena. A person who complies with a subpoena is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the act of turning over or providing information or records to the department.