New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 2135. Confidentiality

All reports or information secured by the department, municipal health commissioner or district health officer under the provisions of this title shall be confidential except: (a) in so far as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this title; (b) when used in the aggregate, without patient specific identifying information, in programs approved by the commissioner for the improvement of the quality of medical care provided to persons with HIV/AIDS; (c) when used within the state or local health department by public health disease programs to assess co-morbidity or completeness of reporting and to direct program needs, in which case patient specific identifying information shall not be disclosed outside the state or local health department; or (d) when used for purposes of patient linkage and retention in care, patient specific identified information may be shared between local and state health departments and health care providers currently treating the patient as approved by the commissioner.