NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY REGULATION ON PERMITTED PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION DISCLOSURES DURING A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to make permanent regulation changes made by emergency regulation on permitted public health information disclosures during a declared public health emergency.
On September 21, 2020, the Department of Health & Social Services adopted, as an emergency regulation, changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with permitted public health information disclosures during a declared public health emergency, including the following:
- 7 AAC 27. Preventive Medical Services, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Amend 7 AAC 27.
- Add a new section, 7 AAC 27.903. Permitted disclosures during a federal or state-declared public health disaster emergency.
- Add a new section, 7 AAC 990. Definitions.
The emergency regulation took effect on September 21, 2020, and will expire January 18, 2021. The Department of Health & Social Services intends to make the emergency regulation permanent.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Mr. Christopher Hardin, State of Alaska, Division of Public Health, Director’ Office, P.O. Box 110611, Juneau, AK 99811-0611. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by electronic mail at christopher.hardin@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on November 2, 2020.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on October 15, 2020, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., by calling 1-800-944-8766, and using the participant access code number 82769#. Please note that in-person attendance will not be permitted at the hearing site because of the public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. If you call to provide oral testimony, you should be on the line before the hearing begins at 1 p.m. The Department of Health & Social Services will give priority to those who call in before 3:30 p.m. The Department of Health & Social Services may, before the hearing begins, limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony. The time limit may be necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Mr. Christopher Hardin, by electronic mail at christopher.hardin@alaska.gov or at the State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, Division of Public Health, Director’ Office, P.O. Box 110611, Juneau, AK 99811-0611. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Mr. Christopher Hardin at (907) 465-8229 not later than October 5, 2020, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.
A copy of the emergency regulation is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx and by contacting Mr. Christopher Hardin at christopher.hardin@alaska.gov or at (907) 465-8229.
The language of the permanent regulations may be different from that of the original emergency regulation and may include other provisions dealing with the same subject. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.
Statutory authority: AS 18.05.010; AS 18.05.030; AS 18.05.040; AS 18.15.355; AS 18.15.360; AS 18.15.362; AS 18.15.395; AS 44.29.022.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 18.05.010; AS 18.05.030; AS 18.05.040; AS 18.15.355; AS 18.15.360; AS 18.15.362; AS 18.15.395; AS 44.29.022.
Fiscal information: The regulations are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: September 21, 2020.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services,
State of Alaska.