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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 99-273

NOTICES

Public Hearings on HIV-Reporting in Pennsylvania; Request for Public Comments

[29 Pa.B. 1032]

   The Department of Health (Department) intends to hold public hearings concerning how to make HIV a reportable disease in this Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is one of 12 states and territories which do not require reporting of HIV infection. HIV reporting provides the best data for tracking trends in demographic and geographic distribution of HIV infection and changes in modes of transmission within the environment. This information would be helpful to the Department in its role as the public health agency responsible for the prevention and control of the spread of disease.

   Individuals or organizations wishing to provide comments should direct their comments to the identification of methods by which HIV reporting can be achieved in this Commonwealth. Some reporting options include the following:

   1.  Name Reporting. The use of a name reporting system in which an individual receiving an HIV test is required to provide a name, address and other demographic and risk behavior information. All collected information is then reported to the public health authority. Name reporting includes the utilization of procedures to ensure that all information gathered is confidential. HIV reporting by name (and other personal identifiers) can augment partner notification and other follow-up activities with persons identified as HIV infected. Likewise, reporting by name (and personal identifiers) can also augment treatment interventions or provide referral to needed health and support services.

   2.  Unique Identifier Reporting. The use of a system in which an individual receiving an HIV test is required to provide certain key personal information (for example, date of birth, sex and race) which is then used to create a unique code for each individual. This code accompanies all demographic and risk behavior information reported to the public health authority. Names are not reported to the public health authority. Under Pennsylvania law relating to reporting of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and conditions, this information is also maintained as confidential by the Department.

   Hearings will be held at each of the following eight locations on the listed dates, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., and again from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The Department will provide a 10 minute presentation on HIV reporting options and case-reporting activities at the beginning of each session:


LocationDatePhone No.
Greensburg at Westmoreland Co. Comm. CollegeFebruary 24, 1999(412) 565-5549
Meadville at City HallFebruary 25, 1999(814) 332-6920
Warrendale at Sheraton InnMarch 8, 1999(412) 565-5549
Harrisburg at the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of PAMarch 10, 1999(717) 787-8092
Williamsport at Lycoming CollegeMarch 11, 1999(570) 327-3400
Reading at Berks County Services CenterApril 14, 1999(610) 378-4351
Wilkes-Barre at Luzerne Community CollegeApril 15, 1999(570) 826-2062
Philadelphia at Children's HospitalApril 22, 1999(610) 378-4351

   Individuals or organizations wishing to provide oral comments must register by calling the telephone number of the Department's District Office provided above for the location at which they wish to reserve time to present comments. A limited number of open time slots will be available at each location.

   An individual or organization may present comments anywhere in this Commonwealth, but only at one public hearing. Persons with HIV are encouraged to testify. Due to the anticipated response, oral comments will be limited to 5 minutes for each organization or individual. Persons wishing to provide oral comments must also provide two written copies of their comments at the time of the hearing. The hearings are subject to cancellation without prior notice.

   The Department will accept written comments in lieu of oral comments until 5 p.m. on April 30, 1999. These written comments should be mailed to the Division of HIV/AIDS, P. O. Box 90, Harrisburg, PA 17108, Attention: Joseph Pease. Written comments may also be sent to the following e-mail address: JPease@health.state.pa.us.

   Persons with a disability who need assistance to register, who wish to comment in an alternative format (that is, large print, audiotape, braille), or who require an auxiliary aid service or other accommodation to attend the hearing, should notify Joseph Pease at the previous address or at the following numbers: (717) 783-0572; V/TT (717) 783-6514 for speech and/or hearing impaired persons; or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at (800) 654-5984 [TT].

   Directions to the public hearing location will be provided at the time of registration.

GARY L. GURIAN,   
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-273. Filed for public inspection February 19, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]


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