(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, all treatment records shall remain confidential and may be released only to the persons designated in this section, or to other persons designated in an informed written consent of the patient.

     (2) Treatment records of a person may be released without informed written consent in the following circumstances:

     (a) To a person, organization, or agency as necessary for management or financial audits, or program monitoring and evaluation. Information obtained under this subsection shall remain confidential and may not be used in a manner that discloses the name or other identifying information about the person whose records are being released.

     (b) To the department, the director of regional support networks, or a qualified staff member designated by the director only when necessary to be used for billing or collection purposes. The information shall remain confidential.

     (c) For purposes of research as permitted in chapter 42.48 RCW.

     (d) Pursuant to lawful order of a court.

     (e) To qualified staff members of the department, to the director of regional support networks, to resource management services responsible for serving a patient, or to service providers designated by resource management services as necessary to determine the progress and adequacy of treatment and to determine whether the person should be transferred to a less restrictive or more appropriate treatment modality or facility. The information shall remain confidential.

     (f) Within the treatment facility where the patient is receiving treatment, confidential information may be disclosed to persons employed, serving in bona fide training programs, or participating in supervised volunteer programs, at the facility when it is necessary to perform their duties.

     (g) Within the department as necessary to coordinate treatment for mental illness, developmental disabilities, alcoholism, or drug abuse of persons who are under the supervision of the department.

     (h) To a licensed physician who has determined that the life or health of the person is in danger and that treatment without the information contained in the treatment records could be injurious to the patient's health. Disclosure shall be limited to the portions of the records necessary to meet the medical emergency.

     (i) To a facility that is to receive a person who is involuntarily committed under chapter 71.05 RCW, or upon transfer of the person from one treatment facility to another. The release of records under this subsection shall be limited to the treatment records required by law, a record or summary of all somatic treatments, and a discharge summary. The discharge summary may include a statement of the patient's problem, the treatment goals, the type of treatment which has been provided, and recommendation for future treatment, but may not include the patient's complete treatment record.

     (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 71.05.390(7), to a correctional facility or a corrections officer who is responsible for the supervision of a person who is receiving inpatient or outpatient evaluation or treatment. Except as provided in RCW 71.05.445 and 71.34.345, release of records under this section is limited to:

     (i) An evaluation report provided pursuant to a written supervision plan.

     (ii) The discharge summary, including a record or summary of all somatic treatments, at the termination of any treatment provided as part of the supervision plan.

     (iii) When a person is returned from a treatment facility to a correctional facility, the information provided under (j)(iv) of this subsection.

     (iv) Any information necessary to establish or implement changes in the person's treatment plan or the level or kind of supervision as determined by resource management services. In cases involving a person transferred back to a correctional facility, disclosure shall be made to clinical staff only.

     (k) To the person's counsel or guardian ad litem, without modification, at any time in order to prepare for involuntary commitment or recommitment proceedings, reexaminations, appeals, or other actions relating to detention, admission, commitment, or patient's rights under chapter 71.05 RCW.

     (l) To staff members of the protection and advocacy agency or to staff members of a private, nonprofit corporation for the purpose of protecting and advocating the rights of persons with mental disorders or developmental disabilities. Resource management services may limit the release of information to the name, birthdate, and county of residence of the patient, information regarding whether the patient was voluntarily admitted, or involuntarily committed, the date and place of admission, placement, or commitment, the name and address of a guardian of the patient, and the date and place of the guardian's appointment. Any staff member who wishes to obtain additional information shall notify the patient's resource management services in writing of the request and of the resource management services' right to object. The staff member shall send the notice by mail to the guardian's address. If the guardian does not object in writing within fifteen days after the notice is mailed, the staff member may obtain the additional information. If the guardian objects in writing within fifteen days after the notice is mailed, the staff member may not obtain the additional information.

     (m) For purposes of coordinating health care, the department may release without informed written consent of the patient, information acquired for billing and collection purposes as described in (b) of this subsection to all current treating providers of the patient with prescriptive authority who have written a prescription for the patient within the last twelve months. The department shall notify the patient that billing and collection information has been released to named providers, and provide the substance of the information released and the dates of such release. The department shall not release counseling, inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, or drug and alcohol treatment information without a signed written release from the client.

     (3) Whenever federal law or federal regulations restrict the release of information contained in the treatment records of any patient who receives treatment for chemical dependency, the department may restrict the release of the information as necessary to comply with federal law and regulations.

[2007 c 191 § 1; 2005 c 504 § 112; 2000 c 75 § 5; 1989 c 205 § 13.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- Severability -- Application -- Construction--Captions, part headings, subheadings not law -- Adoption of rules -- Effective dates -- 2005 c 504: See notes following RCW 71.05.027.

     Alphabetization--Correction of references--2005 c 504: See note following RCW 71.05.020.

     Intent -- 2000 c 75: See note following RCW 71.05.445.

     Contingent effective date -- 1989 c 205 §§ 11-19: See note following RCW 71.05.620.