La. Public Health and Safety § 40:1171.5

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 40:1171.5 - Court authorization for disclosure of confidential HIV test results

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no court shall issue an order for the disclosure of confidential HIV test results except a court of record of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of this Subpart.

B. A court may grant an order for disclosure of confidential HIV test results upon an application showing:

(1) A compelling need for disclosure of the information for the adjudication of a criminal or civil proceeding.

(2) A clear and imminent danger to an individual whose life or health may unknowingly be at significant risk as a result of contact with the individual to whom the information pertains.

(3) Upon application of a state, parish, or local health officer, a clear and imminent danger to the public health.

(4) That the applicant is lawfully entitled to the disclosure and the disclosure is consistent with the provisions of this Subpart.

C. Upon receiving an application for an order authorizing disclosure pursuant to this Section, the court shall enter an order directing that all pleadings, papers, affidavits, judgments, orders of the court, briefs, and memoranda of law which are part of the application or the decision thereon, be sealed and not made available to any person, except to the extent necessary to conduct any proceedings in connection with the determination of whether to grant or deny the application, including any appeal. Such an order shall further direct that all subsequent proceedings in connection with the application, shall be conducted in camera, and, where appropriate to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of confidential HIV test results, that any pleadings, papers, affidavits, judgments, orders of the court, briefs, and memoranda of law which are part of the application or the decision thereon omit the name of the individual concerning whom confidential HIV test results are sought.

(1) The individual concerning whom confidential HIV test results are sought and any person holding records concerning confidential HIV test results from whom disclosure is sought shall be given adequate notice of such application in a manner that shall not disclose to any other person the identity of the individual, and shall be afforded an opportunity to file a written response to the application, or to appear in person for the limited purpose of providing evidence on the statutory criteria for the issuance of an order pursuant to this Section.

(2) The court may grant an order without such notice and opportunity to be heard, if an ex parte application by a public health officer shows a clear and imminent danger to an individual whose life or health may unknowingly be at risk.

(3) The service of a subpoena shall not be subject to this Subsection.

E. In assessing the compelling need and clear and imminent danger, the court shall provide written findings of fact, including scientific or medical findings, citing specific evidence in the record that supports each finding, and shall weigh the need for disclosure against the privacy interest of the protected individual and against the public interest that may not be served by disclosure which deters future testing or treatment or which may lead to discrimination.

F. An order authorizing disclosure of confidential HIV test results shall:

(1) Limit disclosure to that information necessary to fulfill the purpose for which the order is granted.

(2) Limit disclosure to those persons whose need for the information is the basis for the order, and specifically prohibit additional disclosure by such persons to any other persons, regardless of whether they are parties to the action.

(3) To the extent possible consistent with this Section, conform to the provisions of this Subpart.

(4) Include such other measures as the court deems necessary to limit any disclosures not authorized by its order.

La. Public Health and Safety § 40:1171.5

Acts 1991, No. 1054, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1300.15 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.