1. (a) Reporting forms and/or information from all entities required to report should be sent to the local health department director where the physician's office, hospital, laboratory, or medical facility is located or if there is none, the reports should be forwarded to the regional director in the region where the physician's office, hospital, laboratory, or medical facility is located.

2. (b) If any individual or entity is unsure where to report any of the diseases mentioned in this title the reports shall be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to the appropriate program as follows.

   1. (1) For chancroid, syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis infection: Texas Department of Health, HIV/STD Epidemiology Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 and the envelope shall be marked "Confidential." The envelope shall be delivered with the seal unbroken to the HIV/STD Epidemiology Division office for opening and processing of the contents.
   2. (2) For HIV infection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome: Texas Department of Health, HIV/STD Epidemiology Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 and the envelope shall be marked "Confidential." The envelope shall be delivered with the seal unbroken to the HIV/STD Epidemiology Division office for opening and processing of the contents. Postage paid envelopes may be obtained by contacting the HIV/STD Epidemiology Division at (512) 458-7504. Envelopes are provided without charge.

3. (c) Reporting forms can be obtained from local health departments, regional offices, and the Texas Department of Health offices in Austin.

   1. (1) Forms to report chancroid, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, gonorrhea, or syphilis may be requested by mail or by telephone from: Texas Department of Health, HIV/STD Epidemiology Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, (512) 458-7225 or 1-800-252-8239. Forms shall be provided without charge to individuals required to report.
   2. (2) Forms to report HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome may be requested by mail or by telephone from: Texas Department of Health, HIV/STD Epidemiology Division, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, (512) 458-7504 or 1-800-252-8239. Forms shall be provided without charge to individuals required to report.
4. (d) Laboratories shall submit information weekly. If during any calendar quarter, tests for chancroid, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, gonorrhea, HIV infection, and syphilis are performed and all test results are negative, the person in charge of reporting for the laboratory shall submit a statement to this effect on or before January 5, April 5, July 5, and October 5 following that calendar quarter.
5. (e) A local health director or regional director may authorize one or more employees under his/her supervision to receive the report from the physician by telephone and to complete the form on behalf of the physician; use of this alternative, if authorized, is at the option of the reporting physician. The local health department director or regional director shall implement a method for verifying the identity of the telephone caller when that person is unfamiliar to the employee.
6. (f) A local health department director or regional director shall forward to the department at least weekly all reports of cases received by him/her. Transmittal may be by mail, courier, or electronic transmission.
7. (g) If reporting by electronic transmission, including facsimile transmission by telephone, the same degree of protection of the information against unauthorized disclosure shall be provided as those of reporting by mail or courier transmittal. The department shall, before authorizing such transmittal, establish guidelines for establishing and conducting such transmission.

Source Note:The provisions of this §97.134 adopted to be effective March 16, 1994, 19 TexReg 1453.