Section 37-2-34. Ombudsman and other office personnel deemed members of department work force for certain purposes

   The ombudsman and persons employed by or acting as agents of the ombudsman shall be deemed members of the work force of the department solely for the purposes of:

   (1) Allowing the department to disclose confidential clinical records and protected health information to the ombudsman as provided for in Code Section 37-2-36;

   (2) Protecting confidential clinical records and protected health information from further disclosure through or by the ombudsman and the office of the ombudsman; and

   (3) Ensuring the department's compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191, and the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated pursuant thereto.

Code 1981, § 37-2-34, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133, § 3/HB 535.