(1) The Public Records Act provides that a number of types of documents are exempt from public inspection and copying. In addition, documents are exempt from disclosure if any "other statute" exempts or prohibits disclosure. Requestors should be aware of the following exemptions, outside the Public Records Act, that restrict the availability of some documents held by the Washington higher education coordinating board for inspection and copying:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99)

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). (PL 104-191 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164)

28B.76.280 Data collection and research — Research advisory group — Privacy protection.

28B.85.020 Board's duties — Rules — Investigations — Interagency agreements for degree and nondegree programs — Information on institutions offering substandard or fraudulent degree programs — Financial disclosure exempt from public disclosure.

(2) The Washington higher education coordinating board is prohibited by statute from disclosing lists of individuals for commercial purposes.