HAR §11-168-2. Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated in the context, the following definitions shall apply: “Communicable form or stage” means that form or stage of Hansen’s Disease during which viable acid-fast organisms (mycobacterium leprae) are demonstrable in scrapings of skin or in tissue specimens in transmissible form and number. “Contact” means an individual who has been exposed to a person afflicted with communicable Hansen’s disease, or a child born to a patient under treatment for Hansen’s disease in a communicable stage. “Department” means the department of health of the State of Hawaii. “Director” means the director of health of the State of Hawaii, and includes any officer, employee or agent of the department authorized by the director to act in his behalf. “Hansen’s disease” means a chronic disease produced by the mycobacterium leprae, and characterized primarily by alterations and destructive changes in the skin and nerve structures of the human body, appearing in either a communicable form or stage or a non-communicable form or stage. “Physician” means a person duly licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Hawaii. [Eff. NOV 05 1981] (Auth: HRS §326-24) (Imp: HRS §326-24)