(a) The University of Connecticut Health Center, at Farmington, shall include a Poison Information Center for the collection, exchange and dissemination of information needed to minimize damage from potentially toxic substances. Said Poison Information Center shall: (1) Establish and maintain a file on the general composition of substances which, if ingested, inhaled or applied topically to any part of the body, would cause concern for possible toxic reactions; (2) establish and maintain a file on potentially toxic substances, including physiological effects of the toxic substance, the symptoms and signs of toxic reactions and specific antidotes, if any; (3) establish and maintain a file or library of reference material on toxicology; (4) operate twenty-four hours each day, every day of the year to provide such information upon request; and (5) disseminate information contained in subdivisions (1) and (2) to hospitals in the state which establish regional information centers through duplicate index sets and periodic bulletins. Information in the indexes and reference material shall be provided on request according to policy established by said Poison Information Center and, if the requested information is not available in said center or in regional centers, appropriate steps shall be taken by said center to locate the information desired. Said Poison Information Center shall utilize its resources and information to reduce the incidence of accidental poisonings in the state. Said Poison Information Center may develop forms and methods for collecting additional information and require such reports as may be necessary for the discharge of the responsibilities of said center.

(b) Each hospital in the state shall report to the Poison Information Center each incident of accidental poisoning treated by such hospital. Said reports shall be submitted to the center not later than sixty days from the date of treatment on forms prescribed and provided by the Commissioner of Public Health and shall contain such information as the center requires.