AN ACT Relating to the disclosure of confidential information and records to persons believed to be in possible danger; and amending RCW 71.05.390.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 44, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 4, chapter 196, Laws of 1983 and RCW 71.05.390 are each amended to read as follows:

The fact of admission and all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing services to either voluntary or involuntary recipients of services at public or private agencies shall be confidential.

Information and records may be disclosed only:

(1) In communications between qualified professional persons to meet the requirements of this chapter, in the provision of services or appropriate referrals, or in the course of guardianship proceedings. The consent of the patient, or his guardian, must be obtained before information or records may be disclosed by a professional person employed by a facility to a professional person, not employed by the facility, who does not have the medical responsibility for the patient's care or who is not a designated county mental health professional or who is not involved in providing services under the community mental health services act, chapter 71.24 RCW.

(2) When the communications regard the special needs of a patient and the necessary circumstances giving rise to such needs and the disclosure is made by a facility providing outpatient services to the operator of a care facility in which the patient resides.

(3) When the person receiving services, or his guardian, designates persons to whom information or records may be released, or if the person is a minor, when his parents make such designation.

(4) To the extent necessary for a recipient to make a claim, or for a claim to be made on behalf of a recipient for aid, insurance, or medical assistance to which he may be entitled.

(5) For program evaluation and/or research: PROVIDED, That the secretary of social and health services adopts rules for the conduct of such evaluation and/or research. Such rules shall include, but need not be limited to, the requirement that all evaluators and researchers must sign an oath of confidentiality substantially as follows:

"As a condition of conducting evaluation or research concerning persons who have received services from (fill in the facility, agency, or person) I, ............... , agree not to divulge, publish, or otherwise make known to unauthorized persons or the public any information obtained in the course of such evaluation or research regarding persons who have received services such that the person who received such services is identifiable.

I recognize that unauthorized release of confidential information may subject me to civil liability under the provisions of state law.

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(6) To the courts as necessary to the administration of this chapter.

(7) To law enforcement officers, public health officers, or personnel of the department of corrections or the board of prison terms and paroles for persons who are the subject of the records and who are committed to the custody of the department of corrections or board of prison terms and paroles which information or records are necessary to carry out the responsibilities of their office: PROVIDED, That

(a) Only the fact, place, and date of involuntary admission, the fact and date of discharge, and the last known address shall be disclosed upon request; and

(b) The law enforcement and public health officers or personnel of the department of corrections or board of prison terms and paroles shall be obligated to keep such information confidential in accordance with this chapter; and

(c) Additional information shall be disclosed only after giving notice to said person and his counsel and upon a showing of clear, cogent and convincing evidence that such information is necessary and that appropriate safeguards for strict confidentiality are and will be maintained: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That in the event the said person has escaped from custody, said notice prior to disclosure is not necessary and that the facility from which the person escaped shall include an evaluation as to whether the person is of danger to persons or property and has a propensity toward violence.

(8) To the attorney of the detained person.

(9) To persons who are reasonably believed by a professional person to be in foreseeable danger of harm from a patient, or to representatives designated by those persons reasonably believed by a professional to be in foreseeable danger, and to appropriate law enforcement agencies. The disclosure shall be limited to making the threatened person aware of the specific facts that lead the professional person to reasonably believe the person is in foreseeable danger and, if the patient is in an inpatient facility, informing the person of the date of admission and date of discharge, release, or authorized or unauthorized absence from the inpatient facility. The decision to disclose or not disclose shall not result in civil liability for the professional person so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence.

The fact of admission, as well as all records, files, evidence, findings, or orders made, prepared, collected, or maintained pursuant to this chapter shall not be admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding outside this chapter without the written consent of the person who was the subject of the proceeding. The records and files maintained in any court proceeding pursuant to this chapter shall be confidential and available subsequent to such proceedings only to the person who was the subject of the proceeding or his attorney. In addition, the court may order the subsequent release or use of such records or files only upon good cause shown if the court finds that appropriate safeguards for strict confidentiality are and will be maintained.