Ohio § 3705.30

§ 3705.30.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “Certified nurse-midwife,” “clinical nurse specialist,” and “certified nurse practitioner”

have the same meanings as in section 4723.01 of the Revised Code . (2) “Freestanding birthing center” has the same meaning as in section 3701.503 of the Revised Code . (3) “Hospital” has the same meaning as in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code . (4) “ Physician ” means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice

medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery. (B) The director of health shall establish and, if funds for this purpose are available,

implement a statewide birth defects information system for the collection of information

concerning congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns. (C) If the system is implemented under division (B) of this section, all of the following

apply: (1) The director may require each physician, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse

specialist, certified nurse practitioner, hospital, and freestanding birthing center

to report to the system information concerning all patients under five years of age

with a primary diagnosis of a congenital anomaly or abnormal condition.  The director shall not require a hospital, freestanding birthing center, physician,

certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse practitioner

to report to the system any information that is reported to the director or department

of health under another provision of the Revised Code or Administrative Code. (2) On request, each physician, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, certified

nurse practitioner, hospital, and freestanding birthing center shall give the director

or authorized employees of the department of health access to the medical records

of any patient described in division (C)(1) of this section.  The department shall pay the costs of copying any medical records pursuant to this

division. (3) The director may review vital statistics records and shall consider expanding the

list of congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns reported on birth

certificates pursuant to section 3705.08 of the Revised Code . (D) A physician, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse

practitioner, hospital, or freestanding birthing center that provides information

to the system under division (C) of this section shall not be subject to criminal

or civil liability for providing the information.