---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1320b–11"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1320b–11"
heading: "Blood donor locator service"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1320b-11"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter XI — General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §1320b–11. Blood donor locator service

- (a) **In general—** The Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall establish and conduct a Blood Donor Locator Service, which shall be used to obtain and transmit to any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) (as defined in [subsection (h)(1)](#h-1)) the most recent mailing address of any blood donor who, as indicated by the donated blood or products derived therefrom or by the history of the subsequent use of such blood or blood products, has or may have the virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in order to inform such donor of the possible need for [medical care](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-7) and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11).
- (b) **Provision of address information—** Whenever the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security receives a request, filed by an authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) (as defined in [subsection (h)(1)](#h-1)), for the mailing address of a donor described in [subsection (a)](#a) and the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security is reasonably satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met with respect to such request, the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall promptly undertake to provide the requested address information from—
  - (1) the files and records maintained by the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10), and
  - (2) such files and records obtained pursuant to section 6103(m)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security considers necessary to comply with such request.
- (c) **Manner and form of requests—** A request for address information under this section shall be filed in such manner and form as the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall by regulation prescribe, shall include the blood donor’s [social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) security account number, and shall be accompanied or supported by such documents as the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security may determine to be necessary.
- (d) **Procedures and safeguards—** Any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) shall, as a condition for receiving address information from the Blood Donor Locator Service—
  - (1) establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, a system for standardizing records with respect to any request, the reason for such request, and the date of such request made by or of it and any disclosure of address information made by or to it,
  - (2) establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, a secure area or place in which such address information and all related blood donor records shall be stored,
  - (3) restrict, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, access to the address information and related blood donor records only to [persons](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) whose duties or responsibilities require access and to whom disclosure may be made under the provisions of this section,
  - (4) provide such other safeguards which the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security determines (and which the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security prescribes in regulations) to be necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the address information and related blood donor records,
  - (5) furnish a report to the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, at such time and containing such information as the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security may prescribe, which describes the procedures established and utilized by the authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) for ensuring the confidentiality of address information and related blood donor records required under this subsection, and
  - (6) destroy such address information and related blood donor records, upon completion of their use in providing the notification for which the information was obtained, so as to make such information and records undisclosable.

  If the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security determines that any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) has failed to, or does not, meet the requirements of this subsection, the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security may, after any proceedings for review established under [subsection (f)](#f), take such actions as are necessary to ensure such requirements are met, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) refusing to disclose address information to such authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) until the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security determines that such requirements have been or will be met. In the case of any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) who discloses any address information received pursuant to this section or any related blood donor records to any agent, this subsection shall apply to such authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) and each such agent (except that, in the case of an agent, any report to the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security or other action with respect to the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall be made or taken through such authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3)). The Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall destroy all related blood donor records in the possession of the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) upon completion of their use in transmitting mailing addresses as required under [subsection (a)](#a), so as to make such records undisclosable.

- (e) **Arrangements with State agencies and authorized persons—** The Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, in carrying out the Commissioner’s duties and functions under this section, shall enter into arrangements—
  - (1) with [State agencies](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-3) to accept and to transmit to the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security requests for address information under this section and to accept and to transmit such information to authorized [persons](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3), and
  - (2) with [State agencies](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-3) and authorized [persons](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) otherwise to cooperate with the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security in carrying out the purposes of this section.
- (f) **Procedures for administrative review—** The Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security shall by regulation prescribe procedures which provide for administrative review of any determination that any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) has failed to meet the requirements of this section.
- (g) **Unauthorized disclosure of information—** Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 7213(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply with respect to the unauthorized willful disclosure to any [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3) of address information or related blood donor records acquired or maintained by or under the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, or pursuant to this section by any authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3), or of information derived from any such address information or related blood donor records, in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraphs apply with respect to unauthorized disclosures of return and return information described in such paragraphs. Paragraph (4) of section 7213(a) of such Code shall apply with respect to the willful offer of any item of material value in exchange for any such address information or related blood donor record in the same manner and to the same extent as such paragraph applies with respect to offers (in exchange for any return or return information) described in such paragraph.
- (h) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section—
  - (1) **Authorized person—** The term “authorized [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3)” means—
    - (A) any [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) (or of a political subdivision of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)) which has duties or authority under [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) law relating to the public health or otherwise has the duty or authority under [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) law to regulate blood donations, and
    - (B) any entity engaged in the acceptance of blood donations which is licensed or registered by the Food and [Drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) in connection with the acceptance of such blood donations, and which, in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security, provides for—
      - (i) the confidentiality of any address information received pursuant to this section and related blood donor records,
      - (ii) blood donor notification procedures for individuals with respect to whom such information is requested and a finding has been made that they have or may have the virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and
      - (iii) counseling services for such individuals who have been found to have such virus.
  - (2) **Related blood donor record—** The term “related blood donor record” means any record, list, or compilation which indicates, directly or indirectly, the identity of any individual with respect to whom a request for address information has been made pursuant to this section.
  - (3) **State—** The term “[State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)” [includes](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust [Territory](/usc/42/701.md?p=c-5-C) of the Pacific Islands.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, § 1141, as added Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8008(b)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3784; amended Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(b)(13), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1484.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (g), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

### Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(A), (C), substituted “The Commissioner of Social Security” for “The Secretary” and struck out “under the direction of the Commissioner of Social Security,” before “which shall be used”.

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(A), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(D), which directed amendment of par. (6) by substituting “Social Security Administration” for “Department of Health Services”, was executed by substituting “Social Security Administration” for “Department of Health and Human Services” in closing provisions to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(A), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(A), (B), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing and “Commissioner’s” for “Secretary’s” in introductory provisions.

Subsecs. (f), (g), (h)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(13)(A), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

### Time Limit for Establishment of Blood Donor Locator Service

Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8008(b)(2), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3786, required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Blood Donor Locator Service pursuant to this section no later than 180 days after Nov. 10, 1988.

### Executive Documents

### Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.