# TITLE XII
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE

## CHAPTER 171-A
SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

## Autism Registry

### Section 171-A:30

171-A:30 Autism Registry. –

I. There shall be established a state registry in the department which shall include a record of all reported cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that occur in New Hampshire and other information relevant and appropriate to conduct thorough and complete sociological surveys of ASD, to enable analysis of this phenomenon, and to facilitate planning for services to children with ASD and their families. The department may enter into an agreement with an appropriate entity for the management of the registry; provided, that any records and data submitted to the department pursuant to this subdivision shall be the property of the department, as shall be the software used to store said data.

II. Physicians, psychologists, and any other licensed or certified health care provider who is qualified by training to make the diagnosis and who then makes the diagnosis that a child is affected with ASD shall report all new cases of this diagnosis to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The report shall be in writing and shall include the name and address of the person submitting the report and the child's date of birth, and zip code at birth residence, and the specific diagnosis of the child diagnosed as having ASD. The department shall assign a unique identification code to identify the child diagnosed as having ASD. The code shall not include the name, address, or initials of the child, nor shall any other field in the registry. The person reporting this diagnosis shall also send a copy of the report to the diagnosed child's family, along with information about resources that are available to them.

III. All information required to be reported under this subdivision shall be confidential, in accordance with the New Hampshire State Constitution's guarantee of privacy. A physician, psychologist, or licensed or certified health care provider providing information to the department in accordance with this section shall not be deemed to be, or held liable for, divulging confidential information.

IV. Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel a child who has been reported as affected with ASD to submit to medical or health examination or supervision by the department.

V. Whenever 18 years pass from the date of birth recorded for a child entered into the registry, that child's entry in the registry shall be removed.

Source. 2006, 106:2, eff. Aug. 7, 2006.