Town Manager Elaine Lazarus on Tuesday told the Select Board that a visit by First Amendment auditors videotaping in Town Hall on Sept. 12 has led to the scheduling of a formal training session for employees next week.
“We’ll continue to provide town employees with the training necessary to ensure the rights of all are respected,” she said.
During an encounter with the videographers, Simone Carter, the town’s public health nurse, asked them to leave her basement office because she said she had medical records that were private. They refused, citing their right to be in a public area. After calling the police, Carter walked into the hallway and pulled the fire alarm. This led to the evacuation of Town Hall while students were attending an event there.
The incident sparked an ongoing debate on social media, with some defending Carter and criticizing the lead videographer, who has a history of agitating people in public buildings in an apparent attempt to provoke an angry response and get more attention for his YouTube channel. Others are adamant that the videographers had every right to be where they were, and they say Carter had no justification to break the law by pulling the fire alarm and should face charges as well as termination from her job.
Lazarus did not indicate if Carter would be subject to any punishment.
Select Board members stressed the importance of employees’ safety. They suggested better signage for the Health Department and a means to protect confidential medical records.
“Lazarus did not indicate if Carter would be subject to any punishment.” Gee, really? Probably about as much as the police sergeant who ignored the crime. Must be nice to be in with the “in” crowd.
The “First Amendment” is still subject to HIPPA… in fact, they are two totally different things. If you want to be an auditor and spotlight public events, at least understand the basics of what the First Amendment entails.
“Josh” put Simone Carter in an impossible position and she did what she had to do to protect patient rights. “Josh” should be held accountable for his threatening behavior towards a Town Employee and in an official town building.
It all goes back to the adage saying, “your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins…”. Get a grip.
So you want the guy who DID NOT commit a crime held accountable, but the “nurse” who DID commit a crime to go unpunished? I think you are the one who needs to get a grip.
Lizzie, your silly comment shows everyone that you do not have an understanding of the first amendment or HIPPA regulations. If any private or medical information is visible from public the person or organization in charge of that information is violating the law. Simone Carter broke the law twice that day, she did not secure the information and she pulled the fire alarm absent an emergency. She should be held accountable.
Actually, the auditor is not required to provide for the protection of sensitive information. It is solely the duty of the agency to secure sensitive data, and that is what HIPPA says, if you have actually read it. The employee is in violation of HIPPA by having personal data in plain view of public areas. So, no only did the employee violate state laws but is also on the hook for $10,000 fines per incident of disclosed private information.