Arkansas Code Title 20. Public Health and Welfare § 20-15-101. Hepatitis C screening during pregnancy

(a)(1) In addition to the testing of pregnant women required under § 20-16-507, a physician or a healthcare provider who is attending a pregnant woman in this state for conditions relating to pregnancy or any other person who is attending or providing medical treatment to a pregnant woman in this state shall:

(1) Inform a pregnant woman that Hepatitis C may be transmitted from a mother with Hepatitis C to her unborn child and that Hepatitis C may be prevented if the mother's Hepatitis C is diagnosed and treated; and

(2) Provide counseling and instruction to the pregnant woman regarding Hepatitis C in a manner determined by the Department of Health based on contemporary state and federal standards.

(c)(1) Records, reports, data, or other information collected or maintained under this section that identify or could be used to identify an individual patient, healthcare provider, or institution are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq., or subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in a civil proceeding.

(2) Subdivision (c)(1) of this section does not affect the reports required to be submitted by the Department of Health under any other laws, rules, or federal regulations.