BILL REQ. #:  H-3948.1 

Read first time 01/15/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to disclosure by persons licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW; and amending RCW 18.225.105.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 18.225.105 and 2003 c 204 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     A person licensed under this chapter shall not disclose the written acknowledgment of the disclosure statement pursuant to RCW 18.225.100, nor any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except:
     (1) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case of death or disability, the person's personal representative;
     (2) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges against the person licensed under this chapter;
     (3) In response to a subpoena from a court of law or the secretary. The secretary may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report under chapter 18.130 RCW ((18.130.050));
     (4) As required under chapter 26.44 or 74.34 RCW or RCW 71.05.250; or
     (5) To any individual if the person licensed under this chapter reasonably believes that disclosure will avoid or minimize an imminent danger to the health or safety of the individual or any other individual; however, there is no obligation on the part of the provider to so disclose.