HB 1947 -- Biological Agents Registry

Co-Sponsors:  Reid, Cunningham, Barry, Hosmer, Green (73)

This bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services
to establish and administer a biological agents registry by
January 1, 2003.

Persons who possess biological agents are required to submit
specified information for inclusion in the registry.  If a person
who possesses biological agents discovers that a theft, loss, or
release of a biological agent has occurred, the person is
required to alert the department immediately or no later than
four hours after the discovery.

Information prepared for and maintained in the registry is
confidential and not a public record.  The department is
authorized to release information contained in the registry for
the purposes of conducting or aiding in a communicable disease
investigation.  The department is required to cooperate and may
release information to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and state and federal law enforcement agencies in the
event that a theft, loss, or release of a biological agent has
occurred.

The bill prohibits the release of information contained in the
registry from being classified as a public record.

Persons who violate the provisions of the bill will be subject to
a civil penalty of up to $1,000.  Continuing violations of the
bill are classified as separate offenses.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am