HAR §11-156.1-35. Investigation of diseases

The department may conduct an investigation of a communicable or dangerous disease, unusual disease or condition, or outbreak to verify the existence of a disease or condition, ascertain the source or cause of infection or illness, identify unreported cases, locate and evaluate contacts of cases or suspected cases, identify those at risk of the disease or condition, develop and implement necessary disease control measures to minimize the risk of disease spread, and inform the public if necessary. An investigation may include but is not limited to: (1) Reviewing relevant medical records to confirm a diagnosis, to investigate causes, to identify other cases related to an outbreak or a reported case, to determine if a patient with a reportable disease has received adequate treatment to render the patient non-infectious or a contact has received prophylaxis, if appropriate; review of these records may occur without patient consent; (2) Conducting interviews or surveys with the case, suspected case, or persons knowledgeable about the case to conduct contact tracing, to collect information relevant to the cause of or risk factors for the reportable disease, or to monitor adherence to disease control measures; (3) Medical examination and testing of a person with the explicit consent of the person; (4) Obtaining, from public or private businesses or institutions, the identities, locations, and locating information of contacts to the case or persons with a similar or common 156.1-19 3625 §11-156.1-35 potential exposure to the infectious agent as a reported case; (5) Interviewing or administering questionnaire surveys confidentially to a resident of a community or an agent, owner, operator, employer, employee, or client of a public or private business or institution, who is either epidemiologically associated with a reported case or has had a similar exposure as a reported case; (6) Collecting and analyzing plant, animal, food, or environmental samples or measurements of items, from public or private premises, that may be related to the cause of an outbreak or reportable disease, including the collection of clinical material from a laboratory for testing by the department; (7) Taking photographs or videos related to the purpose of the investigation. If the photographs or videos are taken in a business, the employer shall have the opportunity to review the photographs or videos taken or obtained for the purpose of identifying those which contain or might reveal a trade secret; (8) Entering a public or private entity, such as a business or school, for the purpose of conducting an investigation of those processes, conditions, structures, machines, apparatus, devices, equipment, records (including but not limited to current and former employee or student rosters and locating information, schedules, health and medical information, job duties and descriptions, and patron or client locating information), and materials and supplies within the place of employment which are relevant, pertinent, and necessary to the investigation; provided the investigation shall be conducted during regular working hours or at other reasonable times and with 156.1-20 3625 §11-156.1-37 such notice as is reasonable under the circumstances; (9) Review of previously conducted environmental or product sampling data that may be related to the cause of the outbreak or reportable disease; and (10) Any other investigative action that may be required to protect the public health and safety as determined by the department. [Eff MAR 20 2026 ] (Auth: HRS §§321-9, 325-13) (Imp: HRS §§321-29, 325-1.5)