Section 2475. Special policies with respect to dioxin exposure

1. For the
  purpose  of  identifying  persons  who  were  exposed  to  an  herbicide
  containing  dioxin  and  for the purpose of compiling data on the health
  effects of this exposure, the commissioner of health shall:
    (a) establish, promote and maintain a public  information  program  on
  dioxin. Such program shall include, but may not be limited to, an effort
  to  contact Vietnam era veterans and employees of the public and private
  sectors within the state who were exposed  to  an  herbicide  containing
  dioxin;
    (b)  initiate  an  epidemiological  study  of  the  health  effects of
  exposure to herbicides containing dioxin;
    (c) maintain a central data bank within the department for information
  collected on the health effects  of  exposure  to  dioxin  and  for  the
  cataloguing  of existing scientific and medical literature on the health
  effects of this exposure; and
    (d) initiate education for health  professionals  to  assist  them  in
  understanding  the  potential  risks and state-of-the-art knowledge with
  regard to detection,  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  acute  and  chronic
  symptoms associated with dioxin exposure.
    2. The commissioner may request and shall receive from any department,
  division,  board,  bureau,  commission  or agency of the state or of any
  political subdivision thereof such assistance and data  as  will  enable
  him  to  properly  carry out his activities hereunder and effectuate the
  purposes herein set forth. The commissioner  may  also  enter  into  any
  contract  for  services  as  he deems necessary with a private agency or
  concern  upon  said  terms  and  conditions  as  he  deems  appropriate.
  Information   concerning  patient  and  medical  data  provided  to  the
  commissioner pursuant to this subdivision  shall  be  kept  confidential
  according  to  the  provisions  of  paragraph  (j) of subdivision one of
  section two hundred six of this chapter.
    3. The commissioner shall make an annual report to the legislature  of
  his  findings  and  recommendations concerning the effectiveness, impact
  and benefits derived from the special policies as provided for  in  this
  section.  Such  report  shall be delivered on or before the first day of
  March and shall contain evaluations of the policies and any  legislation
  deemed necessary and proper.