Rhode Island § 23-5-9 - Reports of Disease and Disability

§ 23-5-9. Upon death — Report of infectious disease.

(a) As used in this section, “infectious or communicable disease” includes the following:

(1) Infectious hepatitis;

(2) Tuberculosis;

(3) Rabies;

(4) Tularemia;

(5) Herpes simplex;

(6) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome;

(7) Viral hemorrhagic fever;

(8) Gonorrhea;

(9) Syphilis;

(10) Burkett’s lymphoma; and

(11) Kaposi’s sarcoma.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, when a person who has been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease dies in a hospital or other health care facility, the attending physician or other responsible officer shall prepare a written notification describing the disease to accompany the body when the body is picked up for disposition.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, when a person dies outside of a hospital or health care facility and without an attending physician, any family member or person making arrangements for the disposition of the dead body who knows that the dead person has been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease at the time of death shall make known that disposition.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 and 5-37.3-4, any person who picks up or transports a dead body for disposition and who has been notified pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) of this section shall present a notification accompanying the dead body to any embalmer, funeral director, or other person taking possession of the dead body.

(e) Information regarding a deceased’s infectious or communicable disease contained in a notification required under this section shall be privileged and confidential and may be disclosed only if the disclosure is required under state or federal laws.

(f) Any person having duties imposed upon him or her under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section who knowingly refuses or omits to perform those duties shall be subject to a fine of three hundred dollars ($300) for a first offense, five hundred dollars ($500) for a second offense, and one thousand dollars ($1000) for a third and subsequent offense within any calendar year.