Disclosure of medical and health information – Ohio Admin. Code 3701-5-12

The state or registrar may disclose data from vital statistics records including data from the “information for medical and health use only” section of such records to any governmental agency or political subdivision that requests the data for statistical or research purposes in the course of their official duties.  The state registrar may permit the release of data from the “information for medical and health use only” section of a birth record for statistical or research purposes if a responsible agent of the research organization agrees to conform to the following release conditions:

• The research protocol must be submitted to the state registrar for review and approval;
• The release agreement must state that vital statistics information received will not become part of any permanent record in the institution or organization;
• The release agreement must state that vital statistics information will be kept confidential and will not be provided to another individual, agency, or organization;
• Copies of survey letters and/or questionnaires must be submitted for approval when used in conjunction with vital statistics information; and
• Copies of human subject review board/committee approval from institution or other organization must be submitted, if applicable.