It is hereby found that the occurrence of malformation or inherited disease at the time of birth is a tragedy for the child, the family, and the community, and a matter of vital concern to the public health. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the health of the citizens of the state, the department shall have the responsibility for the implementation and development of scientific investigations and research concerning the causes, methods of prevention, treatment, and cure of birth defects.

The department shall establish a birth defects registry for the purpose of initiating and conducting investigations of the causes, mortality, methods of prevention, treatment, and cure of birth defects and allied diseases. Any information released from the registry shall be disclosed as Class I, Class II, Class III, or Class IV data as provided in sections 81-663 to 81-675.

(1) The department shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:

(a) To conduct scientific investigations and surveys of the causes, mortality, methods of prevention, treatment, and cure of birth defects;

(b) To publish at least annually the results of such investigations and surveys for the benefit of the public health and to annually collate such publications for distribution to scientific organizations and qualified scientists and physicians;

(c) To carry on programs of professional education and training of medical students, physicians, nurses, scientists, and technicians in the causes, methods of prevention, treatment, and cure of birth defects;

(d) To conduct and support clinical counseling services in medical facilities; and

(e) To secure necessary scientific, educational, training, technical, administrative, and operational personnel and services including laboratory facilities by contract or otherwise from public or private entities in order to carry out the purposes of this section.

(2) Any information released from the birth defects registry shall be disclosed as Class I, Class II, Class III, or Class IV data as provided in sections 81-663 to 81-675.

Birth defects and allied diseases shall be reported by physicians, hospitals, and persons in attendance at births in the manner and on such forms as may be prescribed by the department. Such reports may be included in the monthly report to the department on births as required by section 71-610. Such reports shall be forwarded to the department no later than the tenth day of the succeeding month after the birth. When objection is made by either parent to furnishing information relating to the medical and health condition of a live-born child because of conflict with religion, such information shall not be required to be entered as provided in this section.