OFFICE OF CHIEF STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) establish an Office of Chief State Epidemiologist within the department to provide expertise in public health activities and policy in this state by:

(A) evaluating epidemiologic, medical, and health care information; and

(B) identifying pertinent research and evidence-based best practices; and

(2) appoint a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state as the chief state epidemiologist to administer the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist.

(b) The chief state epidemiologist must:

(1) be board certified in a medical specialty; and

(2) have significant experience in public health and an advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field.

(c) The chief state epidemiologist serves as:

(1) the department expert on epidemiological matters and on communicable and noncommunicable diseases; and

(2) the department's senior science representative and primary contact for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies related to epidemiologic science and disease surveillance.

(d) The chief state epidemiologist may provide professional and scientific consultation regarding epidemiology and disease control, harmful exposure, and injury prevention to state agencies, health facilities, health service regions, local health authorities, local health departments, and other entities.

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, the chief state epidemiologist may access information from the department to implement duties of the epidemiologist's office. Reports, records, and information provided to the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist that relate to an epidemiologic or toxicologic investigation of human illness or conditions and of environmental exposure that are harmful or believed to be harmful to the public health are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be released or made public on subpoena or otherwise, except for statistical purposes if released in a manner that prevents identification of any person.