HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5469

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson and Talmadge)

Revising record release criteria for alcoholism treatment facility patients.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Bristow, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member, Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:John B. Welsh Jr. (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 12, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The treatment records of a patient receiving services through an alcohol treatment facility are confidential and privileged to the patient. But they may be disclosed to the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services for the purposes of research into the causes and treatment of alcoholism and for the evaluation of alcoholism programs.

SUMMARY:

The treatment records of a patient may be disclosed to others not only for the purposes of research and evaluation, but when the patient has given prior written consent; when authorized by court order upon a showing of good cause; to comply with state law mandating the reporting of suspected child abuse; and when a patient commits a crime on program premises or against program personnel, or threatens to do so.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Nelson, Sponsor; Basil Badley, Attorney, American Council of Life Insurance.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    These amendments place state law on the confidentiality of patient alcoholism treatment records more in accord with federal law. Some patients, for insurance purposes, have fraudulently denied receiving such treatment.  Allegations of fraud or perjury are hard to prove because the law does not allow the court to order disclosure.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.