ACLU defends privacy rights of adult performers in HIV case

[Mr.Fiction]

Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California claimed Thursday the county Department of Health Services violated the law by obtaining private medical information on potentially HIV-infected performers without a subpoena.

"The government needs to make a showing that the breach of the confidentiality is warranted and the way to do that is by going through the court," ACLU attorney Peter Eliasberg said. If people think the government can obtain their private records, it may deter them from getting HIV tests, he said.

County Health Officer Jonathan Fielding said he had not seen the letter and could not comment.

Mitchell said her attorney indicated she had no choice last week when she turned over the records. The records of the two performers who had tested positive at the time were not included because of state privacy requirements, she added.

Mitchell said the health department was to use the information to interview the performers and determine whether they may have passed on HIV to people outside the porn business.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_moratorium_2

Did Mitchell turn over confidential medical records without making the state get a subpoena? What the fuck is wrong with AIM? How can people trust them if she's turning shit over without a legal fight?