Opinion ID: 2333744
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Disclosure of White's HIV Status

Text: White filed a motion in limine to exclude testimony by nurse practitioner Drexel Jordan that White tested positive for HIV three years prior to the trial. Jordan was under subpoena and ordered to testify about White's HIV status as allowed under Ark.Code Ann. § 20-15-905 (Repl.2005). White argues that the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) precluded the disclosure by his health care provider. Specifically, he argues that although the witness may be subpoenaed under statute, the statutes do not provide that the information may be disclosed over defense objections. The purpose of HIPAA is to increase privacy surrounding medical records; however, HIPAA at 42 U.S.C. § 1320d-7(b) (1998), provides that nothing within the Act is to be construed to limit a state's authority to investigate crimes. Regulations implementing HIPAA further reinforce the conclusion that there was no error in allowing Jordan to testify as he did. At 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(f) (2006), the regulations provide for disclosure for law enforcement purposes, including disclosure pursuant to process as required by law. Certainly the trial of a person accused of rape is a legal process qualifying for disclosure. What is at issue in the present case is alleged criminal conduct. Further, Ark.Code Ann. § 20-15-905 (Repl.2005) permits the prosecuting attorney to subpoena information to enforce Ark.Code Ann. § 5-14-123 (exposing another to Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus), the crime charged, but limits disclosure to the courts to enforce this section. Use of the information in this case was limited to use in the courts to enforce the code section as required. There was no error in admitting Jordan's testimony on White's HIV status.