Confidentiality of Birth Information

(A) Birth information collected pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111, § 24B, and 105 CMR 305.000 shall be considered confidential and is exempt from disclosure under the public records law, M.G.L. c. 66, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 4, § 7, cl. 26(a) and (c). (B) The Department shall restrict the use and disclosure of identifiable, individual-level confidential birth information to only legitimate public health purposes, as determined by the Commissioner, or as otherwise required by law, and shall not use or disclose any more confidential birth information than is necessary to achieve the public health purpose. (C) Nothing contained in 105 CMR 305.000 shall be interpreted as restricting or limiting the Department or its agents from using or disclosing any confidential birth information as deemed necessary to conduct official Department duties. (D) Nothing contained in 105 CMR 305.000 shall prohibit the disclosure of information or data that would not identify any person named in a vital record or report.