Sec. 17. 22 MRSA §820, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 694, Pt. A, §1 and affected by PL 2003, c. 366, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 18. 22 MRSA §§821 to 823, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 487, §11, are amended to read:

§821. Authority of department

The department shall adopt rules pursuant to section 802 and establish procedures to carry out the rules to provide a uniform system of reporting, recording and collecting information and maintaining confidentiality concerning communicable diseases, environmental or occupational diseases or exposure to toxic agents. The department may designate any communicable disease, environmental disease, occupational disease or exposure to a toxic agent as a notifiable disease or condition. Any notifiable disease shall or condition must be reported to the department in accordance with this subchapter and the rules established by the department.

§822. Reporting

Whenever any physician knows or has reason to believe that any person whom the physician examines or cares for has or is afflicted with any communicable disease or condition designated as notifiable, that physician shall notify the department and make such a report as may be required by the rules of the department. Reports shall must be in the form and content prescribed by the department and the department shall provide forms for making required reports.

§823. Time requirements

The reporting of a notifiable disease shall or condition must be made by telephone to the department immediately upon determination that a person has that disease and shall must be followed by a written report mailed to the department within 48 hours.

Sec. 19. 22 MRSA §824, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 487, §11, is amended to read:

Any person who receives information pursuant to this chapter shall treat as confidential the names of individuals having or suspected of having a notifiable communicable disease or condition, as well as any other information that may identify