Minnesota Session Laws - 1988, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1988 

                        CHAPTER 579-H.F.No. 421 
           An act relating to health; authorizing the 
          commissioner of health to issue subpoenas in certain 
          instances; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
          Statutes, chapter 144. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
     Section 1.  [144.054] [SUBPOENA POWER.] 
    The commissioner may, as part of an investigation to 
determine whether a serious health threat exists or to locate 
persons who may have been exposed to an agent which can 
seriously affect their health, issue subpoenas to require the 
attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of books, 
records, correspondence, and other information relevant to any 
matter involved in the investigation.  The commissioner or the 
commissioner's designee may administer oaths to witnesses or 
take their affirmation.  The subpoenas may be served upon any 
person named therein anywhere in the state by any person 
authorized to serve subpoenas or other processes in civil 
actions of the district courts.  If a person to whom a subpoena 
is issued does not comply with the subpoena, the commissioner 
may apply to the district court in any district and the court 
shall order the person to comply with the subpoena.  Failure to 
obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as 
contempt of court.  No person may be compelled to disclose 
privileged information as described in section 595.02, 
subdivision 1.  All information pertaining to individual medical 
records obtained under this section shall be considered health 
data under section 13.38.  The fees for the service of a 
subpoena must be paid in the same manner as prescribed by law 
for a service of process issued out of a district court.  
Witnesses must receive the same fees and mileage as in civil 
actions. 
    Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment. 
    Approved April 21, 1988