As used in this Part, the following definitions shall apply unless the content clearly states otherwise:

            (1) “Department” means the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (2) “Office” means the office of public health within the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (3) “Parkinson’s disease” means a chronic and progressive neurologic disorder resulting from deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine as the consequence of degenerative, vascular, or inflammatory changes in the area of the brain called the basal ganglia. It is characterized by tremor at rest, slow movements, rigidity of movement, droopy posture, muscle weakness, and unsteady or shuffling gait.

            (4) “Regional Parkinson’s disease incidence reporting areas” means those demographic regions of the state designated by the department that are responsible for collecting and collating Parkinson’s disease incidence data. The department may contract with an agency, including but not limited to a health systems agency, a parish health department, multiparish health department grouping, or nonprofit professional association representing a designated disease-reporting region for the purposes of carrying out the responsibilities of the disease-reporting region.

            (5) “Regional Parkinson’s Disease Registry” means those regions of the state as designated by the department responsible for providing, on a timely basis, Parkinson’s disease incidence data as determined by the department to the department.

            Acts 2005, No. 210, §1.