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This entry was published on 2014-09-22
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SECTION 4805
Trade secrets
Public Health (PBH) CHAPTER 45, ARTICLE 48
§ 4805. Trade secrets. 1. When a manufacturer, producer, formulator or
employer considers the identity of or other information concerning a
toxic chemical substance to be a protectable trade secret whose
disclosure would compromise his competitive advantage, he may register
this information as secret with the commissioner provided that such
information is already registered as a trade secret pursuant to any
provision of federal law or such information is not registered as a
trade secret but is related to a proprietary process the disclosure of
which would compromise his competitive position.

2. The commissioner shall not release any data which discloses any
trade secret or proprietary process unless he shall notify, in writing
and by certified mail, the submitter of such information of the intent
to release the data. The commissioner may not release the information,
without the submitter's consent, until the thirtieth day after the
submitter has been furnished such notice. Any subsequent release shall
be pursuant to applicable provisions relating to trade secrets or the
Freedom of Information Act.

3. In the event that a substance as to which information is sought is
registered as a component of a trade secret or otherwise protected as a
proprietary process, the employer, pursuant to procedures established by
the commissioner, shall inform employees or their representatives, as to
the toxic effects and the circumstances under which these effects are
produced for those toxic substances whose identity has been duly
registered with the commissioner as a component of a trade secret or a
proprietary process but shall not be required to divulge the specific
identity of the substance.

4. No officer, employee or agent of any state or municipal department,
agency, commission or authority shall disclose to anyone in any manner
any record or portions thereof protected pursuant to this article and
which are within his custody or knowledge for so long as such record or
portions thereof shall be so exempted or until a final judicial denial
of such exemption is rendered. Any person who violates any provision of
this subdivision may be fined, imprisoned, suspended or removed from
office or employment in the manner provided by law.