Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 10 - Public Health Administration
Subchapter 10 - Registries
Part 3 - Rhode Island Birth Defects Registry (216-RICR-10-10-3)
Section 216-RICR-10-10-3.7 - Confidentiality

A. The birth defects surveillance and information system shall maintain comprehensive records of all reports submitted pursuant to the Act and this Part. These reports shall be confidential in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-37.3 and subject to the restrictions on release incorporated in that Chapter. Provided, however, any such information shall be available only for the purposes of the Act, and any data requested for demographic or epidemiological studies shall be provided in a format without individually identifiable information.

B. All individual records and aggregate data including abstract report forms relating to the Rhode Island Birth Defects Registry are the property of the Department. The use of records and aggregate data by any person shall be subject to the approval of the Director. Furthermore, requests for access to data compiled pursuant to the provisions of this Part may be granted only by the Director in accordance with applicable federal and state law, rules and regulations regarding confidentiality and public access to data.