Section IX: Appendix A - Article 2, Title 1, Section 206, Paragraph 1 (d)-(f), (j): Commissioner; General Powers and Duties
Paragraph 1. The commissioner shall:
- d. investigate the causes of disease, epidemics, the sources of mortality, and the effect of localities, employments and other conditions, upon the public health;
- e. obtain, collect and preserve such information relating to marriage, birth, mortality, disease and health as may be useful in the discharge of his duties or may contribute to the promotion of health or the security of life in the state; establish rules and regulations for the determination of asymptomatic conditions including, but not limited to RH sensitivity, anemia, sickle cell anemia, cooley's anemia and venereal disease;
- f. enforce the public health law, the sanitary code and the provisions of the medical assistance program, or its successor, pursuant to titles eleven, eleven-A and eleven-B of the social services law, as amended by this chapter;
- j. cause to be made such scientific studies and research which have for their purpose the reduction of morbidity and mortality and the improvement of the quality of medical care through the conduction of medical audits within the state. In conducting such studies and research, the commissioner is authorized to receive reports on forms prepared by him and the furnishing of such information to the commissioner, or his authorized representatives, shall not subject any person, hospital, sanitarium, rest home, nursing home, or other person or agency furnishing such information to any action for damages or other relief. Such information when received by the commissioner, or his authorized representatives, shall be kept confidential and shall be used solely for the purposes of medical or scientific research or the improvement of the quality of medical care through the conduction of medical audits. Such information shall not be admissible as evidence in any action of any kind in any court or before any other tribunal, board, agency, or person.
