HB238 Summary

• Amends Code of Alabama Sections 22-11A-4 and 22-11A-40 to require laboratories to submit isolates or additional clinical materials to the Department of Public Health when testing results in suspected or positive findings of public health importance.

• Defines "clinical materials" to include clinical isolates containing infectious agents of public health importance, or alternative materials (patient specimens, nucleic acid, or other laboratory material) if isolates are unavailable.

• Requires providers of medical services to provide all records relating to treatment, care, diagnostic services, or laboratory services to the State Health Officer or designee upon request for persons suspected of having notifiable diseases.

• Authorizes the State Board of Health to establish and charge reasonable fees for services rendered by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories, with all collected fees deposited to the State Board of Health for Chapter 11A purposes.

• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and Governor approval, or upon otherwise becoming law.