HI HB2356

Amends Section 324-43 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to expand the permitted uses of birth defects information collected by the Department of Health or researchers to include educating health care providers about available resources for families with birth defects.

Adds "or exempted" language to clarify that information use must be approved or exempted by an institutional review board.

Modifies procedures for collecting additional information directly from patients or relatives by allowing direct patient contact if the patient's current physician is not known, provided the method is approved by an institutional review board.

Maintains existing confidentiality protections ensuring that patient identity and identifiable information remain confidential for all research purposes.

Effective date: July 1, 2016.