Opinion ID: 859134
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: State Laws

Text: Petitioners make a similar argument with regard to both Indiana and Illinois state laws — that they require mine operators to keep employee medical files confidential, and that complying with MSHA orders to permit its agents to inspect and copy such files would expose employers to liability. Petitioners point to several Indiana and Illinois laws, including portions of the Indiana Civil Rights Law, Ind. Code § 22-9-5-20(c)(2) (requiring employers to treat medical information as “a confidential medical record,” with exceptions mirroring federal ADA, as part of prohibition of employment discrimination based on disability); 910 Ind. Admin. Code § 3-3-11(b), (f), (i) (regulations including similar provisions requiring medical information obtained by covered entities to be treated as “confidential medical record”), Illinois’ Genetic Information Privacy Act, 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 513/15, 40 (“genetic testing and information derived from genetic testing is confidential and privileged,” and providing right of action for violation of the Act), and Illinois’ A.I.D.S. Confidentiality Act, 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 305/9 (“No person may disclose or be compelled to disclose the identity of any person upon whom a test is performed, or the results of such a test in a manner which permits identification of the subject of the test, except to the following persons: . . . .”). Our reasoning with regard to the ADA and the FMLA also applies to these provisions. In addition, of course, the alleged conflicts with these state law provisions could not present a problem under federal law because the 56 Nos. 12-2316 & 12-2460 Mine Safety Act preempts any conflicting state law: “No State law in effect on December 30, 1969 or which may become effective thereafter shall be superseded by any provision of this chapter or order issued or any mandatory health or safety standard, except insofar as such State law is in conflict with this chapter or with any order issued or any mandatory health or safety standard.” 30 U.S.C. § 955(a). Petitioners argue that this section does not apply here because the Part 50 audits are not “mandatory health or safety standards.” We need not resolve that question. Even if read as petitioners urge, the state laws would still conflict with the orders MSHA issued to the mine operators directing them to comply with the records demands. Section 955(a) preempts state laws conflicting with MSHA orders. In the event that an employer in Illinois or Indiana is required to permit MSHA agents to inspect and copy medical records that these laws deem “confidential,” MSHA’s order directing the mine operator to permit the inspection and copying would preempt the state law. In sum, we do not find MSHA’s record demands to conflict with the federal and state laws as petitioners and amicus National Mining Association argue. The Mine Safety Act preempts state privacy laws in the event of any conflict; the ADA and FMLA’s con- fidentiality requirement would not be violated by disclosure to MSHA pursuant to these orders; and we do not have jurisdiction to consider whether the demands violate the PRA. Nos. 12-2316 & 12-2460 57