New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 2304. Sexually transmitted diseases; treatment facilities; administration

1. It shall be the responsibility of each board of health of a health district to provide adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of persons living within its jurisdiction who are suspected of being infected or are infected with a sexually transmitted disease.

2. The health officer of said health district shall administer these facilities directly or through contract and shall promptly examine or arrange for the examination of persons suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease, and shall promptly institute treatment or arrange for the treatment of those found or otherwise known to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease, provided that any person may, at his option, be treated at his own expense by a licensed physician of his choice.

3. The facilities provided by the board of health and the administration of these facilities by the health officer shall comply with requirements of the commissioner.

4. Each board of health and local health officer shall ensure that diagnosis and treatment services are available and, to the greatest extent practicable, seek third party coverage or indemnification for such services; provided, however, that no board of health, local health officer, or other municipal officer or entity shall request or require that such coverage or indemnification be utilized as a condition of providing diagnosis or treatment services.

5. The term “health officer” as used in this article shall mean a county health officer, a city health officer, a town health officer, a village health officer, the health officer of a consolidated health district or a state district health officer.