Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-28.36-3. Notification of infectious diseases

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-5-26 (disclosure of confidential information and records under mental health law) and 5-37.3-4 (confidentiality of health care information), if, while treating, investigating, or transporting an ill or injured person to a licensed facility, a fire fighter, police officer, strike force member or emergency medical technician is occupationally exposed (e.g. blood borne exposure) to a person who is subsequently diagnosed as having an infectious disease, and the exposure is sufficient to create the risk of transmission of the disease, the licensed facility receiving that person shall notify the highest ranking officer of the treating, investigating, or transporting individual's department of health of the exposure to that person which officer shall then notify the exposed individual.  Further, any city or town police department notified of infectious diseases pursuant to the provisions of this section shall, within forty-eight (48) hours, notify any strike force member who was exposed to the infected person.

(b) The notification shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours, or sooner, of confirmation of the patient's diagnosis.

(c) The notified employee shall contact the licensed health care facility to determine the infectious disease to which he or she has been exposed, and to receive the appropriate medical direction for dealing with the infectious disease.

(d) Notification made pursuant to this section shall be conducted in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of the patient, fire fighter, police officer, or emergency technician.