Rhode Island § 23-12-4 - Cancer

§ 23-12-4. Central cancer registry — Reports.

(a) The state director of health may enter into a contract with a non-profit organization to establish a registry to record certain cases of malignant disease that occur in residents of the state, and any appropriate information concerning these cases that it shall deem necessary and appropriate in order to conduct epidemiologic surveys of cancer and to apply appropriate preventive and control measures.

(b) The state director of health shall require the reporting of certain cases of malignant disease and the submission of any specified additional information on reported cases or control populations that he or she deems necessary and appropriate for the recognition, prevention, or control of certain cases of malignant diseases.

(c) The central cancer 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 in that chapter.

(d) The state director of health shall conduct those activities to prevent and control cancer among the residents of the state that he or she shall deem necessary and appropriate and as are indicated from the findings of the central cancer registry.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel any individual to submit to medical or department examination or supervision.

(f) The department shall make rules and regulations that are necessary to implement the provisions of this section pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42.

(g) The general assembly shall annually appropriate the sum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for the support of the central cancer registry.