RCW 70.02.005
Findings.
The legislature finds that:
(1) Health care information is personal and sensitive information that if improperly used or released may do significant harm to a patient's interests in privacy, health care, or other interests.
(2) Patients need access to their own health care information as a matter of fairness to enable them to make informed decisions about their health care and correct inaccurate or incomplete information about themselves.
(3) In order to retain the full trust and confidence of patients, health care providers have an interest in assuring that health care information is not improperly disclosed and in having clear and certain rules for the disclosure of health care information.
(4) Persons other than health care providers obtain, use, and disclose health record information in many different contexts and for many different purposes. It is the public policy of this state that a patient's interest in the proper use and disclosure of the patient's health care information survives even when the information is held by persons other than health care providers.
(5) The movement of patients and their health care information across state lines, access to and exchange of health care information from automated data banks, and the emergence of multistate health care providers creates a compelling need for uniform law, rules, and procedures governing the use and disclosure of health care information.
[
1991 c 335 s 101
.]
RCW 70.02.010
Definitions.
(Effective until June 30, 2027.)
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Admission" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(2) "Audit" means an assessment, evaluation, determination, or investigation of a health care provider by a person not employed by or affiliated with the provider to determine compliance with:
(a) Statutory, regulatory, fiscal, medical, or scientific standards;
(b) A private or public program of payments to a health care provider; or
(c) Requirements for licensing, accreditation, or certification.
(3) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.
(4) "Commitment" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(5) "Custody" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(6) "Deidentified" means health information that does not identify an individual and with respect to which there is no reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify an individual.
(7) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
(8) "Designated crisis responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020, as applicable.
(9) "Detention" or "detain" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(10) "Directory information" means information disclosing the presence, and for the purpose of identification, the name, location within a health care facility, and the general health condition of a particular patient who is a patient in a health care facility or who is currently receiving emergency health care in a health care facility.
(11) "Discharge" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(12) "Evaluation and treatment facility" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020, as applicable.
(13) "Federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities" means an officer of any agency or authority in the United States, a state, a tribe, a territory, or a political subdivision of a state, a tribe, or a territory who is empowered by law to: (a) Investigate or conduct an official inquiry into a potential criminal violation of law; or (b) prosecute or otherwise conduct a criminal proceeding arising from an alleged violation of law.
(14) "General health condition" means the patient's health status described in terms of "critical," "poor," "fair," "good," "excellent," or terms denoting similar conditions.
(15) "Health care" means any care, service, or procedure provided by a health care provider:
(a) To diagnose, treat, or maintain a patient's physical or mental condition; or
(b) That affects the structure or any function of the human body.
(16) "Health care facility" means a hospital, clinic, nursing home, laboratory, office, or similar place where a health care provider provides health care to patients.
(17) "Health care information" means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that identifies or can readily be associated with the identity of a patient and directly relates to the patient's health care, including a patient's deoxyribonucleic acid and identified sequence of chemical base pairs. The term includes any required accounting of disclosures of health care information.
(18) "Health care operations" means any of the following activities of a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor to the extent that the activities are related to functions that make an entity a health care provider, a health care facility, or a third-party payor:
(a) Conducting: Quality assessment and improvement activities, including outcomes evaluation and development of clinical guidelines, if the obtaining of generalizable knowledge is not the primary purpose of any studies resulting from such activities; population-based activities relating to improving health or reducing health care costs, protocol development, case management and care coordination, contacting of health care providers and patients with information about treatment alternatives; and related functions that do not include treatment;
(b) Reviewing the competence or qualifications of health care professionals, evaluating practitioner and provider performance and third-party payor performance, conducting training programs in which students, trainees, or practitioners in areas of health care learn under supervision to practice or improve their skills as health care providers, training of nonhealth care professionals, accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities;
(c) Underwriting, premium rating, and other activities relating to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits, and ceding, securing, or placing a contract for reinsurance of risk relating to claims for health care, including stop-loss insurance and excess of loss insurance, if any applicable legal requirements are met;
(d) Conducting or arranging for medical review, legal services, and auditing functions, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs;
(e) Business planning and development, such as conducting cost-management and planning-related analyses related to managing and operating the health care facility or third-party payor, including formulary development and administration, development, or improvement of methods of payment or coverage policies; and
(f) Business management and general administrative activities of the health care facility, health care provider, or third-party payor including, but not limited to:
(i) Management activities relating to implementation of and compliance with the requirements of this chapter;
(ii) Customer service, including the provision of data analyses for policyholders, plan sponsors, or other customers, provided that health care information is not disclosed to such policyholder, plan sponsor, or customer;
(iii) Resolution of internal grievances;
(iv) The sale, transfer, merger, or consolidation of all or part of a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor with another health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor or an entity that following such activity will become a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor, and due diligence related to such activity; and
(v) Consistent with applicable legal requirements, creating deidentified health care information or a limited data set for the benefit of the health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor.
(19) "Health care provider" means a person who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized by the law of this state to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.
(20) "Human immunodeficiency virus" or "HIV" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.24.017
.
(21) "Imminent" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(22) "Indian health care provider" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.71B.010
(11).
(23) "Information and records related to mental health services" means a type of health care information that relates to all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing services by a mental health service agency or mental health professional to persons who are receiving or have received services for mental illness. The term includes mental health information contained in a medical bill, registration records, and all other records regarding the person maintained by the department, by the authority, by behavioral health administrative services organizations and their staff, managed care organizations contracted with the authority under chapter
74.09
RCW and their staff, and by treatment facilities. The term further includes documents of legal proceedings under chapter
71.05, 71.34, or
10.77
RCW, or somatic health care information. For health care information maintained by a hospital as defined in RCW 70.41.020
or a health care facility or health care provider that participates with a hospital in an organized health care arrangement defined under federal law, "information and records related to mental health services" is limited to information and records of services provided by a mental health professional or information and records of services created by a hospital-operated community behavioral health program as defined in RCW 71.24.025
. The term does not include psychotherapy notes.
(24) "Information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases" means a type of health care information that relates to the identity of any person upon whom an HIV antibody test or other sexually transmitted infection test is performed, the results of such tests, and any information relating to diagnosis of or treatment for any confirmed sexually transmitted infections.
(25) "Institutional review board" means any board, committee, or other group formally designated by an institution, or authorized under federal or state law, to review, approve the initiation of, or conduct periodic review of research programs to assure the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.
(26) "Legal counsel" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(27) "Local public health officer" has the same meaning as the term "local health officer" as defined in RCW 70.24.017
.
(28) "Maintain," as related to health care information, means to hold, possess, preserve, retain, store, or control that information.
(29) "Managed care organization" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 71.24.025
.
(30) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary of health under chapter
71.05
RCW, whether that person works in a private or public setting.
(31) "Mental health service agency" means a public or private agency that provides services to persons with mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020
and receives funding from public sources. This includes evaluation and treatment facilities as defined in RCW 71.34.020, community mental health service delivery systems, or community behavioral health programs, as defined in RCW 71.24.025, and facilities conducting competency evaluations and restoration under chapter
10.77
RCW.
(32) "Minor" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.34.020
.
(33) "Parent" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.34.020
.
(34) "Patient" means an individual who receives or has received health care. The term includes a deceased individual who has received health care.
(35) "Payment" means:
(a) The activities undertaken by:
(i) A third-party payor to obtain premiums or to determine or fulfill its responsibility for coverage and provision of benefits by the third-party payor; or
(ii) A health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor, to obtain or provide reimbursement for the provision of health care; and
(b) The activities in (a) of this subsection that relate to the patient to whom health care is provided and that include, but are not limited to:
(i) Determinations of eligibility or coverage, including coordination of benefits or the determination of cost-sharing amounts, and adjudication or subrogation of health benefit claims;
(ii) Risk adjusting amounts due based on enrollee health status and demographic characteristics;
(iii) Billing, claims management, collection activities, obtaining payment under a contract for reinsurance, including stop-loss insurance and excess of loss insurance, and related health care data processing;
(iv) Review of health care services with respect to medical necessity, coverage under a health plan, appropriateness of care, or justification of charges;
(v) Utilization review activities, including precertification and preauthorization of services, and concurrent and retrospective review of services; and
(vi) Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies of any of the following health care information relating to collection of premiums or reimbursement:
(A) Name and address;
(B) Date of birth;
(C) Social security number;
(D) Payment history;
(E) Account number; and
(F) Name and address of the health care provider, health care facility, and/or third-party payor.
(36) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision or agency, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(37) "Professional person" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(38) "Psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(39) "Psychotherapy notes" means notes recorded, in any medium, by a mental health professional documenting or analyzing the contents of conversations during a private counseling session or group, joint, or family counseling session, and that are separated from the rest of the individual's medical record. The term excludes mediation prescription and monitoring, counseling session start and stop times, the modalities and frequencies of treatment furnished, results of clinical tests, and any summary of the following items: Diagnosis, functional status, the treatment plan, symptoms, prognosis, and progress to date.
(40) "Reasonable fee" means the charges for duplicating or searching the record, but shall not exceed 65 cents per page for the first 30 pages and 50 cents per page for all other pages. In addition, a clerical fee for searching and handling may be charged not to exceed $15. These amounts shall be adjusted biennially in accordance with changes in the consumer price index, all consumers, for Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan statistical area as determined by the secretary of health. However, where editing of records by a health care provider is required by statute and is done by the provider personally, the fee may be the usual and customary charge for a basic office visit.
(41) "Release" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(42) "Resource management services" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(43) "Serious violent offense" has the same meaning as in RCW 9.94A.030
.
(44) "Sexually transmitted infection" or "sexually transmitted disease" has the same meaning as "sexually transmitted disease" in RCW 70.24.017
.
(45) "Test for a sexually transmitted disease" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.24.017
.
(46) "Third-party payor" means an insurer regulated under Title
48
RCW authorized to transact business in this state or other jurisdiction, including a health care service contractor, and health maintenance organization; or an employee welfare benefit plan, excluding fitness or wellness plans; or a state or federal health benefit program.
(47) "Treatment" means the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers or health care facilities, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider or health care facility with a third party; consultation between health care providers or health care facilities relating to a patient; or the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider or health care facility to another.
(48) "Tribal public health authority" means a tribe that is responsible for public health matters as a part of its official mandate.
(49) "Tribal public health officer" means the individual appointed as the health officer for the tribe.
(50) "Tribe" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.24.025
.
[
2024 c 209 s 31
. Prior:
2020 c 302 s 112
;
2020 c 256 s 401
;
2019 c 325 s 5019
;
2018 c 201 s 8001
;
2016 sp.s. c 29 s 416
; prior:
2014 c 225 s 70
;
2014 c 220 s 4
;
2013 c 200 s 1
;
2006 c 235 s 2
;
2005 c 468 s 1
;
2002 c 318 s 1
;
1993 c 448 s 1
;
1991 c 335 s 102
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
For charges or fees under subsection (40) of this section as adjusted by the secretary of health, see chapter 246-08 WAC.
Effective date
—
2019 c 325:
See note following RCW 71.24.011
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective dates
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See note following RCW 71.05.760
.
Short title
—
Right of action
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See notes following RCW 71.05.010
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 225:
See note following RCW 71.24.016
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
"Except for section 5 of this act, this act takes effect July 1, 2014." [
2013 c 200 s 35
.]
Purpose
—
Effective date
—
2006 c 235:
See notes following RCW 70.02.050
.
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993." [
1993 c 448 s 9
.]
PDF
RCW 70.02.010
Definitions.
(Effective June 30, 2027.)
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Admission" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(2) "Audit" means an assessment, evaluation, determination, or investigation of a health care provider by a person not employed by or affiliated with the provider to determine compliance with:
(a) Statutory, regulatory, fiscal, medical, or scientific standards;
(b) A private or public program of payments to a health care provider; or
(c) Requirements for licensing, accreditation, or certification.
(3) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.
(4) "Commitment" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(5) "Custody" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(6) "Deidentified" means health information that does not identify an individual and with respect to which there is no reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify an individual.
(7) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
(8) "Designated crisis responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020, as applicable.
(9) "Detention" or "detain" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(10) "Directory information" means information disclosing the presence, and for the purpose of identification, the name, location within a health care facility, and the general health condition of a particular patient who is a patient in a health care facility or who is currently receiving emergency health care in a health care facility.
(11) "Discharge" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(12) "Evaluation and treatment facility" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020, as applicable.
(13) "Federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities" means an officer of any agency or authority in the United States, a state, a tribe, a territory, or a political subdivision of a state, a tribe, or a territory who is empowered by law to: (a) Investigate or conduct an official inquiry into a potential criminal violation of law; or (b) prosecute or otherwise conduct a criminal proceeding arising from an alleged violation of law.
(14) "General health condition" means the patient's health status described in terms of "critical," "poor," "fair," "good," "excellent," or terms denoting similar conditions.
(15) "Health care" means any care, service, or procedure provided by a health care provider:
(a) To diagnose, treat, or maintain a patient's physical or mental condition; or
(b) That affects the structure or any function of the human body.
(16) "Health care facility" means a hospital, clinic, nursing home, laboratory, office, or similar place where a health care provider provides health care to patients.
(17) "Health care information" means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that identifies or can readily be associated with the identity of a patient and directly relates to the patient's health care, including a patient's deoxyribonucleic acid and identified sequence of chemical base pairs. The term includes any required accounting of disclosures of health care information.
(18) "Health care operations" means any of the following activities of a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor to the extent that the activities are related to functions that make an entity a health care provider, a health care facility, or a third-party payor:
(a) Conducting: Quality assessment and improvement activities, including outcomes evaluation and development of clinical guidelines, if the obtaining of generalizable knowledge is not the primary purpose of any studies resulting from such activities; population-based activities relating to improving health or reducing health care costs, protocol development, case management and care coordination, contacting of health care providers and patients with information about treatment alternatives; and related functions that do not include treatment;
(b) Reviewing the competence or qualifications of health care professionals, evaluating practitioner and provider performance and third-party payor performance, conducting training programs in which students, trainees, or practitioners in areas of health care learn under supervision to practice or improve their skills as health care providers, training of nonhealth care professionals, accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities;
(c) Underwriting, premium rating, and other activities relating to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits, and ceding, securing, or placing a contract for reinsurance of risk relating to claims for health care, including stop-loss insurance and excess of loss insurance, if any applicable legal requirements are met;
(d) Conducting or arranging for medical review, legal services, and auditing functions, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs;
(e) Business planning and development, such as conducting cost-management and planning-related analyses related to managing and operating the health care facility or third-party payor, including formulary development and administration, development, or improvement of methods of payment or coverage policies; and
(f) Business management and general administrative activities of the health care facility, health care provider, or third-party payor including, but not limited to:
(i) Management activities relating to implementation of and compliance with the requirements of this chapter;
(ii) Customer service, including the provision of data analyses for policyholders, plan sponsors, or other customers, provided that health care information is not disclosed to such policyholder, plan sponsor, or customer;
(iii) Resolution of internal grievances;
(iv) The sale, transfer, merger, or consolidation of all or part of a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor with another health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor or an entity that following such activity will become a health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor, and due diligence related to such activity; and
(v) Consistent with applicable legal requirements, creating deidentified health care information or a limited data set for the benefit of the health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor.
(19) "Health care provider" means a person who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized by the law of this state to provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.
(20) "Human immunodeficiency virus" or "HIV" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.24.017
.
(21) "Imminent" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(22) "Indian health care provider" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.71B.010
(11).
(23) "Information and records related to mental health services" means a type of health care information that relates to all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing services by a mental health service agency or mental health professional to persons who are receiving or have received services for mental illness. The term includes mental health information contained in a medical bill, registration records, and all other records regarding the person maintained by the department, by the authority, by behavioral health administrative services organizations and their staff, managed care organizations contracted with the authority under chapter
74.09
RCW and their staff, and by treatment facilities. The term further includes documents of legal proceedings under chapter
71.05, 71.34, or
10.77
RCW, or somatic health care information. For health care information maintained by a hospital as defined in RCW 70.41.020
or a health care facility or health care provider that participates with a hospital in an organized health care arrangement defined under federal law, "information and records related to mental health services" is limited to information and records of services provided by a mental health professional or information and records of services created by a hospital-operated community behavioral health program as defined in RCW 71.24.025
. The term does not include psychotherapy notes.
(24) "Information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases" means a type of health care information that relates to the identity of any person upon whom an HIV antibody test or other sexually transmitted infection test is performed, the results of such tests, and any information relating to diagnosis of or treatment for any confirmed sexually transmitted infections.
(25) "Institutional review board" means any board, committee, or other group formally designated by an institution, or authorized under federal or state law, to review, approve the initiation of, or conduct periodic review of research programs to assure the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.
(26) "Legal counsel" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(27) "Local public health officer" has the same meaning as the term "local health officer" as defined in RCW 70.24.017
.
(28) "Maintain," as related to health care information, means to hold, possess, preserve, retain, store, or control that information.
(29) "Managed care organization" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 71.24.025
.
(30) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary of health under chapter
71.05
RCW, whether that person works in a private or public setting.
(31) "Mental health service agency" means a public or private agency that provides services to persons with mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020
or
71.34.020
and receives funding from public sources. This includes evaluation and treatment facilities as defined in RCW 71.34.020, community mental health service delivery systems, or community behavioral health programs, as defined in RCW 71.24.025, and facilities conducting competency evaluations and restoration under chapter
10.77
RCW.
(32) "Minor" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.34.020
.
(33) "Parent" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.34.020
.
(34) "Patient" means an individual who receives or has received health care. The term includes a deceased individual who has received health care.
(35) "Payment" means:
(a) The activities undertaken by:
(i) A third-party payor to obtain premiums or to determine or fulfill its responsibility for coverage and provision of benefits by the third-party payor; or
(ii) A health care provider, health care facility, or third-party payor, to obtain or provide reimbursement for the provision of health care; and
(b) The activities in (a) of this subsection that relate to the patient to whom health care is provided and that include, but are not limited to:
(i) Determinations of eligibility or coverage, including coordination of benefits or the determination of cost-sharing amounts, and adjudication or subrogation of health benefit claims;
(ii) Risk adjusting amounts due based on enrollee health status and demographic characteristics;
(iii) Billing, claims management, collection activities, obtaining payment under a contract for reinsurance, including stop-loss insurance and excess of loss insurance, and related health care data processing;
(iv) Review of health care services with respect to medical necessity, coverage under a health plan, appropriateness of care, or justification of charges;
(v) Utilization review activities, including precertification and preauthorization of services, and concurrent and retrospective review of services; and
(vi) Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies of any of the following health care information relating to collection of premiums or reimbursement:
(A) Name and address;
(B) Date of birth;
(C) Social security number;
(D) Payment history;
(E) Account number; and
(F) Name and address of the health care provider, health care facility, and/or third-party payor.
(36) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision or agency, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(37) "Professional person" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(38) "Psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse" has the same meaning as in *RCW 71.05.020
.
(39) "Psychotherapy notes" means notes recorded, in any medium, by a mental health professional documenting or analyzing the contents of conversations during a private counseling session or group, joint, or family counseling session, and that are separated from the rest of the individual's medical record. The term excludes mediation prescription and monitoring, counseling session start and stop times, the modalities and frequencies of treatment furnished, results of clinical tests, and any summary of the following items: Diagnosis, functional status, the treatment plan, symptoms, prognosis, and progress to date.
(40) "Reasonable fee" means the charges for duplicating or searching the record, but shall not exceed 65 cents per page for the first 30 pages and 50 cents per page for all other pages. In addition, a clerical fee for searching and handling may be charged not to exceed $15. These amounts shall be adjusted biennially in accordance with changes in the consumer price index, all consumers, for Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan statistical area as determined by the secretary of health. However, where editing of records by a health care provider is required by statute and is done by the provider personally, the fee may be the usual and customary charge for a basic office visit.
(41) "Release" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(42) "Resource management services" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.05.020
.
(43) "Serious violent offense" has the same meaning as in RCW 9.94A.030
.
(44) "Sexually transmitted infection" or "sexually transmitted disease" has the same meaning as "sexually transmitted disease" in RCW 70.24.017
.
(45) "Test for a sexually transmitted disease" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.24.017
.
(46) "Third-party payor" means an insurer regulated under Title
48
RCW authorized to transact business in this state or other jurisdiction, including a health care service contractor, and health maintenance organization; or an employee welfare benefit plan, excluding fitness or wellness plans; or a state or federal health benefit program.
(47) "Treatment" means the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers or health care facilities, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider or health care facility with a third party; consultation between health care providers or health care facilities relating to a patient; or the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider or health care facility to another.
(48) "Tribal public health authority" means a tribe that is responsible for public health matters as a part of its official mandate.
(49) "Tribal public health officer" means the individual appointed as the health officer for the tribe.
(50) "Tribe" has the same meaning as in RCW 71.24.025
.
[
2025 c 58 s 5128
;
2024 c 209 s 31
. Prior:
2020 c 302 s 112
;
2020 c 256 s 401
;
2019 c 325 s 5019
;
2018 c 201 s 8001
;
2016 sp.s. c 29 s 416
; prior:
2014 c 225 s 70
;
2014 c 220 s 4
;
2013 c 200 s 1
;
2006 c 235 s 2
;
2005 c 468 s 1
;
2002 c 318 s 1
;
1993 c 448 s 1
;
1991 c 335 s 102
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) RCW 71.05.020
does not define "psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse," but does define "psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner." The term "advanced registered nurse practitioner" was changed to "advanced practice registered nurse" by 2024 c 239 s 1, effective June 30, 2027.
(2) For charges or fees under subsection (40) of this section as adjusted by the secretary of health, see chapter 246-08 WAC.
Effective date
—
2025 c 58 ss 5058-5170:
See note following RCW 7.68.030
.
Explanatory note
—
2025 c 58:
See note following RCW 1.16.050
.
Effective date
—
2019 c 325:
See note following RCW 71.24.011
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective dates
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See note following RCW 71.05.760
.
Short title
—
Right of action
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See notes following RCW 71.05.010
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 225:
See note following RCW 71.24.016
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
"Except for section 5 of this act, this act takes effect July 1, 2014." [
2013 c 200 s 35
.]
Purpose
—
Effective date
—
2006 c 235:
See notes following RCW 70.02.050
.
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993." [
1993 c 448 s 9
.]
RCW 70.02.020
Disclosure by health care provider.
(1) Except as authorized elsewhere in this chapter, a health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of health care, or an agent and employee of a health care provider may not disclose health care information about a patient to any other person without the patient's written authorization. A disclosure made under a patient's written authorization must conform to the authorization.
(2) A patient has a right to receive an accounting of disclosures of health care information made by a health care provider or a health care facility in the six years before the date on which the accounting is requested, except for disclosures:
(a) To carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations;
(b) To the patient of health care information about him or her;
(c) Incident to a use or disclosure that is otherwise permitted or required;
(d) Pursuant to an authorization where the patient authorized the disclosure of health care information about himself or herself;
(e) Of directory information;
(f) To persons involved in the patient's care;
(g) For national security or intelligence purposes if an accounting of disclosures is not permitted by law;
(h) To correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if an accounting of disclosures is not permitted by law; and
(i) Of a limited data set that excludes direct identifiers of the patient or of relatives, employers, or household members of the patient.
[
2014 c 220 s 5
;
2013 c 200 s 2
;
2005 c 468 s 2
;
1993 c 448 s 2
;
1991 c 335 s 201
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.030
Patient authorization of disclosure
—
Health care information
—
Requirement to provide free copy to patient appealing denial of social security benefits.
(1) A patient may authorize a health care provider or health care facility to disclose the patient's health care information. A health care provider or health care facility shall honor an authorization and, if requested, provide a copy of the recorded health care information unless the health care provider or health care facility denies the patient access to health care information under RCW 70.02.090
.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection and RCW 70.02.370, a health care provider or health care facility may charge a reasonable fee for providing the health care information and is not required to honor an authorization until the fee is paid.
(b) Upon request of a patient or a patient's personal representative, a health care facility or health care provider shall provide the patient or representative with one copy of the patient's health care information free of charge if the patient is appealing the denial of federal supplemental security income or social security disability benefits. The patient or representative may complete a disclosure authorization specifying the health care information requested and provide it to the health care facility or health care provider. The health care facility or health care provider may provide the health care information in either paper or electronic format. A health care facility or health care provider is not required to provide a patient or a patient's personal representative with a free copy of health care information that has previously been provided free of charge pursuant to a request within the preceding two years.
(3) To be valid, a disclosure authorization to a health care provider or health care facility shall:
(a) Be in writing, dated, and signed by the patient;
(b) Identify the nature of the information to be disclosed;
(c) Identify the name and institutional affiliation of the person or class of persons to whom the information is to be disclosed;
(d) Identify the provider or class of providers who are to make the disclosure;
(e) Identify the patient; and
(f) Contain an expiration date or an expiration event that relates to the patient or the purpose of the use or disclosure.
(4) Unless disclosure without authorization is otherwise permitted under RCW 70.02.050
or the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations, an authorization may permit the disclosure of health care information to a class of persons that includes:
(a) Researchers if the health care provider or health care facility obtains the informed consent for the use of the patient's health care information for research purposes; or
(b) Third-party payors if the information is only disclosed for payment purposes.
(5) Except as provided by this chapter, the signing of an authorization by a patient is not a waiver of any rights a patient has under other statutes, the rules of evidence, or common law.
(6) When an authorization permits the disclosure of health care information to a financial institution or an employer of the patient for purposes other than payment, the authorization as it pertains to those disclosures shall expire one year after the signing of the authorization, unless the authorization is renewed by the patient.
(7) A health care provider or health care facility shall retain the original or a copy of each authorization or revocation in conjunction with any health care information from which disclosures are made.
(8) Where the patient is under the supervision of the department of corrections, an authorization signed pursuant to this section for health care information related to mental health or drug or alcohol treatment expires at the end of the term of supervision, unless the patient is part of a treatment program that requires the continued exchange of information until the end of the period of treatment.
[
2024 c 150 s 2
;
2018 c 87 s 1
;
2014 c 220 s 15
;
2005 c 468 s 3
;
2004 c 166 s 19
;
1994 sp.s. c 9 s 741
;
1993 c 448 s 3
;
1991 c 335 s 202
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Severability
—
Effective dates
—
2004 c 166:
See notes following RCW 71.05.040
.
Severability
—
Headings and captions not law
—
Effective date
—
1994 sp.s. c 9:
See RCW 18.79.900
through
18.79.902
.
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.040
Patient's revocation of authorization for disclosure.
A patient may revoke in writing a disclosure authorization to a health care provider at any time unless disclosure is required to effectuate payments for health care that has been provided or other substantial action has been taken in reliance on the authorization. A patient may not maintain an action against the health care provider for disclosures made in good-faith reliance on an authorization if the health care provider had no actual notice of the revocation of the authorization.
[
1991 c 335 s 203
.]
RCW 70.02.045
Third-party payor release of information.
Third-party payors shall not release health care information disclosed under this chapter, except as required by chapter
43.371
RCW and RCW 48.43.071
and to the extent that health care providers are authorized to do so under RCW 70.02.050, 70.02.200, and
70.02.210
.
[
2018 c 87 s 2
;
2015 c 289 s 1
;
2014 c 223 s 18
;
2000 c 5 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2015 c 289:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 18, 2015]." [
2015 c 289 s 2
.]
Finding
—
2014 c 223:
See note following RCW 41.05.690
.
Intent
—
Purpose
—
2000 c 5:
See RCW 48.43.500
.
Application
—
Short title
—
Captions not law
—
Construction
—
Severability
—
Application to contracts
—
Effective dates
—
2000 c 5:
See notes following RCW 48.43.500
.
RCW 70.02.050
Disclosure without patient's authorization
—
Need-to-know basis.
(1) A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information, except for information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases which are addressed in RCW 70.02.220, about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is:
(a) To a person who the provider or facility reasonably believes is providing health care to the patient;
(b) To any other person who requires health care information for health care education, or to provide planning, quality assurance, peer review, or administrative, legal, financial, actuarial services to, or other health care operations for or on behalf of the health care provider or health care facility; or for assisting the health care provider or health care facility in the delivery of health care and the health care provider or health care facility reasonably believes that the person:
(i) Will not use or disclose the health care information for any other purpose; and
(ii) Will take appropriate steps to protect the health care information;
(c) To any person if the health care provider or health care facility believes, in good faith, that use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, and the information is disclosed only to a person or persons reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat, including the target of the threat. There is no obligation under this chapter on the part of the provider or facility to so disclose; or
(d) For payment, including information 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 or she may be entitled.
(2) A health care provider shall disclose health care information, except for information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases, unless otherwise authorized in RCW 70.02.220, about a patient without the patient's authorization if the disclosure is:
(a) To federal, state, or local public health authorities, to the extent the health care provider is required by law to report health care information; when needed to determine compliance with state or federal licensure, certification or registration rules or laws, or to investigate unprofessional conduct or ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety under chapter
18.130
RCW. Any health care information obtained under this subsection is exempt from public inspection and copying pursuant to chapter
42.56
RCW; or
(b) When needed to protect the public health.
[
2017 c 298 s 2
;
2014 c 220 s 6
;
2013 c 200 s 3
;
2007 c 156 s 12
;
2006 c 235 s 3
;
2005 c 468 s 4
;
1998 c 158 s 1
;
1993 c 448 s 4
;
1991 c 335 s 204
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
Purpose
—
2006 c 235:
"The purpose of this act is to aid law enforcement in combating crime through the rapid identification of all persons who require medical treatment as a result of a criminal act and to assist in the rapid identification of human remains." [
2006 c 235 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
2006 c 235:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 27, 2006]." [
2006 c 235 s 5
.]
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.060
Discovery request or compulsory process.
(1) Before service of a discovery request or compulsory process on a health care provider for health care information, an attorney shall provide advance notice to the health care provider and the patient or the patient's attorney involved through service of process or first-class mail, indicating the health care provider from whom the information is sought, what health care information is sought, and the date by which a protective order must be obtained to prevent the health care provider from complying. Such date shall give the patient and the health care provider adequate time to seek a protective order, but in no event be less than fourteen days since the date of service or delivery to the patient and the health care provider of the foregoing. Thereafter the request for discovery or compulsory process shall be served on the health care provider.
(2) Without the written consent of the patient, the health care provider may not disclose the health care information sought under subsection (1) of this section if the requestor has not complied with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section. In the absence of a protective order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction forbidding compliance, the health care provider shall disclose the information in accordance with this chapter. In the case of compliance, the request for discovery or compulsory process shall be made a part of the patient record.
(3) Production of health care information under this section, in and of itself, does not constitute a waiver of any privilege, objection, or defense existing under other law or rule of evidence or procedure.
[
1991 c 335 s 205
.]
RCW 70.02.070
Certification of record.
Upon the request of the person requesting the record, the health care provider or facility shall certify the record furnished and may charge for such certification in accordance with RCW 36.18.016
(5). No record need be certified until the fee is paid. The certification shall be affixed to the record and disclose:
(1) The identity of the patient;
(2) The kind of health care information involved;
(3) The identity of the person to whom the information is being furnished;
(4) The identity of the health care provider or facility furnishing the information;
(5) The number of pages of the health care information;
(6) The date on which the health care information is furnished; and
(7) That the certification is to fulfill and meet the requirements of this section.
[
1995 c 292 s 20
;
1991 c 335 s 206
.]
RCW 70.02.080
Patient's examination and copying
—
Requirements.
(1) Upon receipt of a written request from a patient to examine or copy all or part of the patient's recorded health care information, a health care provider, as promptly as required under the circumstances, but no later than fifteen working days after receiving the request shall:
(a) Make the information available for examination during regular business hours and provide a copy, if requested, to the patient;
(b) Inform the patient if the information does not exist or cannot be found;
(c) If the health care provider does not maintain a record of the information, inform the patient and provide the name and address, if known, of the health care provider who maintains the record;
(d) If the information is in use or unusual circumstances have delayed handling the request, inform the patient and specify in writing the reasons for the delay and the earliest date, not later than twenty-one working days after receiving the request, when the information will be available for examination or copying or when the request will be otherwise disposed of; or
(e) Deny the request, in whole or in part, under RCW 70.02.090
and inform the patient.
(2) Upon request, the health care provider shall provide an explanation of any code or abbreviation used in the health care information. If a record of the particular health care information requested is not maintained by the health care provider in the requested form, the health care provider is not required to create a new record or reformulate an existing record to make the health care information available in the requested form. Except as provided in RCW 70.02.030, the health care provider may charge a reasonable fee for providing the health care information and is not required to permit examination or copying until the fee is paid.
[
2018 c 87 s 3
;
1993 c 448 s 5
;
1991 c 335 s 301
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1993 c 448:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.090
Patient's request
—
Denial of examination and copying.
(1) Subject to any conflicting requirement in the public records act, chapter
42.56
RCW, a health care provider may deny access to health care information by a patient if the health care provider reasonably concludes that:
(a) Knowledge of the health care information would be injurious to the health of the patient;
(b) Knowledge of the health care information could reasonably be expected to lead to the patient's identification of an individual who provided the information in confidence and under circumstances in which confidentiality was appropriate;
(c) Knowledge of the health care information could reasonably be expected to cause danger to the life or safety of any individual;
(d) The health care information was compiled and is used solely for litigation, quality assurance, peer review, or administrative purposes; or
(e) Access to the health care information is otherwise prohibited by law.
(2) If a health care provider denies a request for examination and copying under this section, the provider, to the extent possible, shall segregate health care information for which access has been denied under subsection (1) of this section from information for which access cannot be denied and permit the patient to examine or copy the disclosable information.
(3) If a health care provider denies a patient's request for examination and copying, in whole or in part, under subsection (1)(a) or (c) of this section, the provider shall permit examination and copying of the record by another health care provider, selected by the patient, who is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized under the laws of this state to treat the patient for the same condition as the health care provider denying the request. The health care provider denying the request shall inform the patient of the patient's right to select another health care provider under this subsection. The patient shall be responsible for arranging for compensation of the other health care provider so selected.
[
2005 c 274 s 331
;
1991 c 335 s 302
.]
RCW 70.02.100
Correction or amendment of record.
(1) For purposes of accuracy or completeness, a patient may request in writing that a health care provider correct or amend its record of the patient's health care information to which a patient has access under RCW 70.02.080
.
(2) As promptly as required under the circumstances, but no later than ten days after receiving a request from a patient to correct or amend its record of the patient's health care information, the health care provider shall:
(a) Make the requested correction or amendment and inform the patient of the action;
(b) Inform the patient if the record no longer exists or cannot be found;
(c) If the health care provider does not maintain the record, inform the patient and provide the patient with the name and address, if known, of the person who maintains the record;
(d) If the record is in use or unusual circumstances have delayed the handling of the correction or amendment request, inform the patient and specify in writing, the earliest date, not later than twenty-one days after receiving the request, when the correction or amendment will be made or when the request will otherwise be disposed of; or
(e) Inform the patient in writing of the provider's refusal to correct or amend the record as requested and the patient's right to add a statement of disagreement.
[
1991 c 335 s 401
.]
RCW 70.02.110
Correction or amendment or statement of disagreement
—
Procedure.
(1) In making a correction or amendment, the health care provider shall:
(a) Add the amending information as a part of the health record; and
(b) Mark the challenged entries as corrected or amended entries and indicate the place in the record where the corrected or amended information is located, in a manner practicable under the circumstances.
(2) If the health care provider maintaining the record of the patient's health care information refuses to make the patient's proposed correction or amendment, the provider shall:
(a) Permit the patient to file as a part of the record of the patient's health care information a concise statement of the correction or amendment requested and the reasons therefor; and
(b) Mark the challenged entry to indicate that the patient claims the entry is inaccurate or incomplete and indicate the place in the record where the statement of disagreement is located, in a manner practicable under the circumstances.
(3) A health care provider who receives a request from a patient to amend or correct the patient's health care information, as provided in RCW 70.02.100, shall forward any changes made in the patient's health care information or health record, including any statement of disagreement, to any third-party payor or insurer to which the health care provider has disclosed the health care information that is the subject of the request.
[
2000 c 5 s 3
;
1991 c 335 s 402
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Purpose
—
2000 c 5:
See RCW 48.43.500
.
Application
—
Short title
—
Captions not law
—
Construction
—
Severability
—
Application to contracts
—
Effective dates
—
2000 c 5:
See notes following RCW 48.43.500
.
RCW 70.02.120
Notice of information practices
—
Display conspicuously.
(1) A health care provider who provides health care at a health care facility that the provider operates and who maintains a record of a patient's health care information shall create a "notice of information practices" that contains substantially the following:
NOTICE
"We keep a record of the health care services we provide you. You may ask us to see and copy that record. You may also ask us to correct that record. We will not disclose your record to others unless you direct us to do so or unless the law authorizes or compels us to do so. You may see your record or get more information about it at . . . . . ."
(2) The health care provider shall place a copy of the notice of information practices in a conspicuous place in the health care facility, on a consent form or with a billing or other notice provided to the patient.
[
1991 c 335 s 501
.]
RCW 70.02.130
Consent by others
—
Health care representatives.
(1) A person authorized to consent to health care for another may exercise the rights of that person under this chapter to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms or purposes of the grant of authority. If the patient is a minor and is authorized to consent to health care without parental consent under federal and state law, only the minor may exercise the rights of a patient under this chapter as to information pertaining to health care to which the minor lawfully consented. In cases where parental consent is required, a health care provider may rely, without incurring any civil or criminal liability for such reliance, on the representation of a parent that he or she is authorized to consent to health care for the minor patient regardless of whether:
(a) The parents are married, unmarried, or separated at the time of the representation;
(b) The consenting parent is, or is not, a custodial parent of the minor;
(c) The giving of consent by a parent is, or is not, full performance of any agreement between the parents, or of any order or decree in any action entered pursuant to chapter
26.09
RCW.
(2) A person authorized to act for a patient shall act in good faith to represent the best interests of the patient.
[
1991 c 335 s 601
.]
RCW 70.02.140
Representative of deceased patient.
A personal representative of a deceased patient may exercise all of the deceased patient's rights under this chapter. If there is no personal representative, or upon discharge of the personal representative, a deceased patient's rights under this chapter may be exercised by persons who would have been authorized to make health care decisions for the deceased patient when the patient was living under RCW 7.70.065
.
[
1991 c 335 s 602
.]
RCW 70.02.150
Security safeguards.
A health care provider shall effect reasonable safeguards for the security of all health care information it maintains.
Reasonable safeguards shall include affirmative action to delete outdated and incorrect facsimile transmission or other telephone transmittal numbers from computer, facsimile, or other databases. When health care information is transmitted electronically to a recipient who is not regularly transmitted health care information from the health care provider, the health care provider shall verify that the number is accurate prior to transmission.
[
2001 c 16 s 2
;
1991 c 335 s 701
.]
RCW 70.02.160
Retention of record.
A health care provider shall maintain a record of existing health care information for at least one year following receipt of an authorization to disclose that health care information under RCW 70.02.040, and during the pendency of a request for examination and copying under RCW 70.02.080
or a request for correction or amendment under RCW 70.02.100
.
[
1991 c 335 s 702
.]
RCW 70.02.170
Civil remedies.
(1) A person who has complied with this chapter may maintain an action for the relief provided in this section against a health care provider or facility who has not complied with this chapter.
(2) The court may order the health care provider or other person to comply with this chapter. Such relief may include actual damages, but shall not include consequential or incidental damages. The court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and all other expenses reasonably incurred to the prevailing party.
(3) Any action under this chapter is barred unless the action is commenced within two years after the cause of action is discovered.
(4) A violation of this chapter shall not be deemed a violation of the consumer protection act, chapter
19.86
RCW.
[
1991 c 335 s 801
.]
RCW 70.02.180
Licensees under chapter
18.225
RCW
—
Subject to chapter.
Mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers licensed under chapter
18.225
RCW are subject to this chapter.
[
2001 c 251 s 34
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
2001 c 251:
See RCW 18.225.900
.
RCW 70.02.205
Disclosure without patient's authorization
—
Persons with close relationship.
(1)(a) A health care provider or health care facility may use or disclose the health care information of a patient without obtaining an authorization from the patient or the patient's personal representative if the conditions in (b) of this subsection are met and:
(i) The disclosure is to a family member, including a patient's state registered domestic partner, other relative, a close personal friend, or other person identified by the patient, and the health care information is directly relevant to the person's involvement with the patient's health care or payment related to the patient's health care; or
(ii) The use or disclosure is for the purpose of notifying, or assisting in the notification of, including identifying or locating, a family member, a personal representative of the patient, or another person responsible for the care of the patient of the patient's location, general condition, or death.
(b) A health care provider or health care facility may make the uses and disclosures described in (a) of this subsection if:
(i) The patient is not present or obtaining the patient's authorization or providing the opportunity to agree or object to the use or disclosure is not practicable due to the patient's incapacity or an emergency circumstance, the health care provider or health care facility may in the exercise of professional judgment, determine whether the use or disclosure is in the best interests of the patient and, if so, disclose only the health care information that is directly relevant to the person's involvement with the patient's health care or payment related to the patient's health care; or
(ii) The patient is present for, or otherwise available prior to, the use or disclosure and has the capacity to make health care decisions, the health care provider or health care facility may use or disclose the information if it:
(A) Obtains the patient's agreement;
(B) Provides the patient with the opportunity to object to the use or disclosure, and the patient does not express an objection; or
(C) Reasonably infers from the circumstances, based on the exercise of professional judgment, that the patient does not object to the use or disclosure.
(2) With respect to information and records related to mental health services provided to a patient by a health care provider, the health care information disclosed under this section may include, to the extent consistent with the health care provider's professional judgment and standards of ethical conduct:
(a) The patient's diagnoses and the treatment recommendations;
(b) Issues concerning the safety of the patient, including risk factors for suicide, steps that can be taken to make the patient's home safer, and a safety plan to monitor and support the patient;
(c) Information about resources that are available in the community to help the patient, such as case management and support groups; and
(d) The process to ensure that the patient safely transitions to a higher or lower level of care, including an interim safety plan.
(3) Any use or disclosure of health care information, including information and records related to mental health services, under this section must be limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose of the use or disclosure.
(4) A health care provider or health care facility is not subject to any civil liability for making or not making a use or disclosure in accordance with this section.
[
2020 c 81 s 2
;
2017 c 298 s 1
.]
RCW 70.02.210
Disclosure without patient's authorization
—
Research.
(1)(a) A health care provider or health care facility may disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is for use in a research project that an institutional review board has determined:
(i) Is of sufficient importance to outweigh the intrusion into the privacy of the patient that would result from the disclosure;
(ii) Is impracticable without the use or disclosure of the health care information in individually identifiable form;
(iii) Contains reasonable safeguards to protect the information from redisclosure;
(iv) Contains reasonable safeguards to protect against identifying, directly or indirectly, any patient in any report of the research project; and
(v) Contains procedures to remove or destroy at the earliest opportunity, consistent with the purposes of the project, information that would enable the patient to be identified, unless an institutional review board authorizes retention of identifying information for purposes of another research project.
(b) Disclosure under (a) of this subsection may include health care information and records of treatment programs related to chemical dependency addressed in *chapter
70.96A
RCW and as authorized by federal law.
(2) In addition to the disclosures required by RCW 70.02.050
and
70.02.200, a health care provider or health care facility shall disclose health care information about a patient without the patient's authorization if:
(a) The disclosure is to county coroners and medical examiners for the investigations of deaths;
(b) The disclosure is to a procurement organization or person to whom a body part passes for the purpose of examination necessary to assure the medical suitability of the body part; or
(c) The disclosure is to a person subject to the jurisdiction of the federal food and drug administration in regards to a food and drug administration-regulated product or activity for which that person has responsibility for quality, safety, or effectiveness of activities.
[
2014 c 220 s 8
;
2013 c 200 s 5
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
Chapter
70.96A
RCW was repealed and/or recodified in its entirety pursuant to 2016 sp.s. c 29 ss 301, 601, and 701.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220 s 8:
"Section 8 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 4, 2014]." [
2014 c 220 s 18
.]
Effective date
—
2013 c 200 s 5:
"Section 5 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 10, 2013]." [
2013 c 200 s 36
.]
RCW 70.02.220
Sexually transmitted diseases
—
Permitted and mandatory disclosures.
(1) No person may disclose or be compelled to disclose the identity of any person who has investigated, considered, or requested a test or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, except as authorized by this section, RCW 70.02.210, or chapter
70.24
RCW.
(2) No person may disclose or be compelled to disclose information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases, except as authorized by this section, RCW 70.02.210, 70.02.205, or chapter
70.24
RCW. A person may disclose information related to sexually transmitted diseases about a patient without the patient's authorization, to the extent a recipient needs to know the information, if the disclosure is to:
(a) The subject of the test or the subject's legal representative for health care decisions in accordance with RCW 7.70.065, with the exception of such a representative of a minor fourteen years of age or over and otherwise capable of making health care decisions;
(b) The state health officer as defined in RCW 70.24.017, a local public health officer, or the centers for disease control of the United States public health service in accordance with reporting requirements for a diagnosed case of a sexually transmitted disease;
(c) A health facility or health care provider that procures, processes, distributes, or uses: (i) A human body part, tissue, or blood from a deceased person with respect to medical information regarding that person; (ii) semen, including that was provided prior to March 23, 1988, for the purpose of artificial insemination; or (iii) blood specimens;
(d) Any state or local public health officer conducting an investigation pursuant to RCW 70.24.024, so long as the record was obtained by means of court-ordered HIV testing pursuant to RCW 70.24.340
or
70.24.024
;
(e) A person allowed access to the record by a court order granted after application showing good cause therefor. In assessing good cause, the court shall weigh the public interest and the need for disclosure against the injury to the patient, to the physician-patient relationship, and to the treatment services. Upon the granting of the order, the court, in determining the extent to which any disclosure of all or any part of the record of any such test is necessary, shall impose appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure. An order authorizing disclosure must: (i) Limit disclosure to those parts of the patient's record deemed essential to fulfill the objective for which the order was granted; (ii) limit disclosure to those persons whose need for information is the basis for the order; and (iii) include any other appropriate measures to keep disclosure to a minimum for the protection of the patient, the physician-patient relationship, and the treatment services;
(f) Persons who, because of their behavioral interaction with the infected individual, have been placed at risk for acquisition of a sexually transmitted disease, as provided in RCW 70.24.022, if the health officer or authorized representative believes that the exposed person was unaware that a risk of disease exposure existed and that the disclosure of the identity of the infected person is necessary;
(g) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, health care provider, health care facility staff person, department of correction's staff person, jail staff person, or other persons as defined by the board of health in rule pursuant to RCW 70.24.340, who has requested a test of a person whose bodily fluids he or she has been substantially exposed to, pursuant to RCW 70.24.340, if a state or local public health officer performs the test;
(h) Claims management personnel employed by or associated with an insurer, health care service contractor, health maintenance organization, self-funded health plan, state administered health care claims payer, or any other payer of health care claims where such disclosure is to be used solely for the prompt and accurate evaluation and payment of medical or related claims. Information released under this subsection must be confidential and may not be released or available to persons who are not involved in handling or determining medical claims payment; and
(i) A department of children, youth, and families worker, a child-placing agency worker, or a guardian ad litem who is responsible for making or reviewing placement or case-planning decisions or recommendations to the court regarding a child, who is less than fourteen years of age, has a sexually transmitted disease, and is in the custody of the department of children, youth, and families or a licensed child-placing agency. This information may also be received by a person responsible for providing residential care for such a child when the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, or a licensed child-placing agency determines that it is necessary for the provision of child care services.
(3) No person to whom the results of a test for a sexually transmitted disease have been disclosed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section may disclose the test results to another person except as authorized by that subsection.
(4) The release of sexually transmitted disease information regarding an offender or detained person, except as provided in subsection (2)(d) of this section, is governed as follows:
(a) The sexually transmitted disease status of a department of corrections offender who has had a mandatory test conducted pursuant to RCW *
70.24.340
(1), 70.24.360, or
70.24.370
must be made available by department of corrections health care providers and local public health officers to the department of corrections health care administrator or infection control coordinator of the facility in which the offender is housed. The information made available to the health care administrator or the infection control coordinator under this subsection (4)(a) may be used only for disease prevention or control and for protection of the safety and security of the staff, offenders, and the public. The information may be submitted to transporting officers and receiving facilities, including facilities that are not under the department of corrections' jurisdiction according to the provisions of (d) and (e) of this subsection.
(b) The sexually transmitted disease status of a person detained in a jail who has had a mandatory test conducted pursuant to RCW *
70.24.340
(1), 70.24.360, or
70.24.370
must be made available by the local public health officer to a jail health care administrator or infection control coordinator. The information made available to a health care administrator under this subsection (4)(b) may be used only for disease prevention or control and for protection of the safety and security of the staff, offenders, detainees, and the public. The information may be submitted to transporting officers and receiving facilities according to the provisions of (d) and (e) of this subsection.
(c) Information regarding the sexually transmitted disease status of an offender or detained person is confidential and may be disclosed by a correctional health care administrator or infection control coordinator or local jail health care administrator or infection control coordinator only as necessary for disease prevention or control and for protection of the safety and security of the staff, offenders, and the public. Unauthorized disclosure of this information to any person may result in disciplinary action, in addition to the penalties prescribed in RCW 70.24.080
or any other penalties as may be prescribed by law.
(d) Notwithstanding the limitations on disclosure contained in (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, whenever any member of a jail staff or department of corrections staff has been substantially exposed to the bodily fluids of an offender or detained person, then the results of any tests conducted pursuant to RCW *
70.24.340
(1), 70.24.360, or
70.24.370, must be immediately disclosed to the staff person in accordance with the Washington Administrative Code rules governing employees' occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Disclosure must be accompanied by appropriate counseling for the staff member, including information regarding follow-up testing and treatment. Disclosure must also include notice that subsequent disclosure of the information in violation of this chapter or use of the information to harass or discriminate against the offender or detainee may result in disciplinary action, in addition to the penalties prescribed in RCW 70.24.080, and imposition of other penalties prescribed by law.
(e) The staff member must also be informed whether the offender or detained person had any other communicable disease, as defined in RCW 72.09.251
(3), when the staff person was substantially exposed to the offender's or detainee's bodily fluids.
(f) The test results of voluntary and anonymous HIV testing or HIV-related condition, as defined in **RCW 70.24.017, may not be disclosed to a staff person except as provided in this section and RCW 70.02.050
(1)(d) and
70.24.340
. A health care administrator or infection control coordinator may provide the staff member with information about how to obtain the offender's or detainee's test results under this section and RCW 70.02.050
(1)(d) and
70.24.340
.
(5) The requirements of this section do not apply to the customary methods utilized for the exchange of medical information among health care providers in order to provide health care services to the patient, nor do they apply within health care facilities where there is a need for access to confidential medical information to fulfill professional duties.
(6) Upon request of the victim, disclosure of test results under this section to victims of sexual offenses under chapter
9A.44
RCW must be made if the result is negative or positive. The county prosecuting attorney shall notify the victim of the right to such disclosure. The disclosure must be accompanied by appropriate counseling, including information regarding follow-up testing.
(7) A person, including a health care facility or health care provider, shall disclose the identity of any person who has investigated, considered, or requested a test or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease and information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases to federal, state, or local public health authorities, to the extent the health care provider is required by law to report health care information; when needed to determine compliance with state or federal certification or registration rules or laws; or when needed to protect the public health. Any health care information obtained under this subsection is exempt from public inspection and copying pursuant to chapter
42.56
RCW.
[
2021 c 270 s 5
;
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 s 332
;
2017 c 298 s 4
;
2013 c 200 s 6
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) RCW 70.24.340
was amended by 2020 c 76 s 13, deleting subsection (1) and removing subsection numbering.
**(2) RCW 70.24.017
was amended by 2020 c 76 s 2, deleting the definition of "HIV-related condition."
Effective date
—
2021 c 270:
See note following RCW 7.70.065
.
Effective date
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 ss 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822:
See note following RCW 43.216.025
.
Conflict with federal requirements
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6:
See RCW 43.216.908
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.230
Mental health services, confidentiality of records
—
Permitted disclosures.
(Effective until June 30, 2027.)
(1) The fact of admission to a provider for mental health services and all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing mental health services to either voluntary or involuntary recipients of services at public or private agencies may not be disclosed except as provided in this section, RCW 70.02.050, 71.05.445, 74.09.295, 70.02.210, 70.02.240, 70.02.250, 70.02.260, and
70.02.265, or pursuant to a valid authorization under RCW 70.02.030
.
(2) Information and records related to mental health services, other than those obtained through treatment under chapter
71.34
RCW, may be disclosed:
(a) In communications between qualified professional persons to meet the requirements of chapter
71.05
RCW, including Indian health care providers, in the provision of services or appropriate referrals, or in the course of guardianship proceedings if provided to a professional person:
(i) Employed by the facility;
(ii) Who has medical responsibility for the patient's care;
(iii) Who is a designated crisis responder;
(iv) Who is providing services under chapter
71.24
RCW;
(v) Who is employed by a state or local correctional facility where the person is confined or supervised; or
(vi) Who is providing evaluation, treatment, or follow-up services under chapter
10.77
RCW;
(b) 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 services to the operator of a facility in which the patient resides or will reside;
(c)(i) When the person receiving services, or his or her guardian, designates persons to whom information or records may be released, or if the person is a minor, when his or her parents make such a designation;
(ii) A public or private agency shall release to a person's next of kin, attorney, personal representative, guardian, or conservator, if any:
(A) The information that the person is presently a patient in the facility or that the person is seriously physically ill;
(B) A statement evaluating the mental and physical condition of the patient, and a statement of the probable duration of the patient's confinement, if such information is requested by the next of kin, attorney, personal representative, guardian, or conservator; and
(iii) Other information requested by the next of kin or attorney as may be necessary to decide whether or not proceedings should be instituted to appoint a guardian or conservator;
(d)(i) To the courts, including tribal courts, as necessary to the administration of chapter
71.05
RCW, or equivalent proceedings in tribal courts, or to a court ordering an evaluation or treatment under chapter
10.77
RCW solely for the purpose of preventing the entry of any evaluation or treatment order that is inconsistent with any order entered under chapter
71.05
RCW.
(ii) To a court or its designee in which a motion under chapter
10.77
RCW has been made for involuntary medication of a defendant for the purpose of competency restoration.
(iii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purpose of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(e)(i) When a mental health professional or designated crisis responder is requested by a representative of a law enforcement or corrections agency, including a police officer, sheriff, community corrections officer, a municipal attorney, or prosecuting attorney to undertake an investigation or provide treatment under RCW 71.05.150, 10.31.110, or
71.05.153, the mental health professional or designated crisis responder shall, if requested to do so, advise the representative in writing of the results of the investigation including a statement of reasons for the decision to detain or release the person investigated. The written report must be submitted within 72 hours of the completion of the investigation or the request from the law enforcement or corrections representative, whichever occurs later.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(f) To the attorney of the detained person;
(g) To the prosecuting attorney, including tribal prosecuting attorney, as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office under RCW 71.05.330
(2), 71.05.340
(1)(b), and
71.05.335
. The prosecutor, including tribal prosecutor, must be provided access to records regarding the committed person's treatment and prognosis, medication, behavior problems, and other records relevant to the issue of whether treatment less restrictive than inpatient treatment is in the best interest of the committed person or others. Information must be disclosed only after giving notice to the committed person and the person's counsel;
(h)(i) To appropriate law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies, and to a person, when the identity of the person is known to the public or private agency, whose health and safety has been threatened, or who is known to have been repeatedly harassed, by the patient. The person may designate a representative to receive the disclosure. The disclosure must be made by the professional person in charge of the public or private agency or his or her designee and must include the dates of commitment, admission, discharge, or release, authorized or unauthorized absence from the agency's facility, and only any other information that is pertinent to the threat or harassment. The agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not, so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as a waiver of sovereign immunity by a tribe.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(i)(i) To appropriate corrections and law enforcement agencies, including tribal corrections and law enforcement agencies, all necessary and relevant information in the event of a crisis or emergent situation that poses a significant and imminent risk to the public. The mental health service agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the health insurance portability and accountability act;
(j) To the persons designated in RCW 71.05.425
for the purposes described in those sections;
(k) By a care coordinator, including an Indian health care provider, under RCW 71.05.585
or *
10.77.575
assigned to a person ordered to receive less restrictive alternative treatment for the purpose of sharing information to parties necessary for the implementation of proceedings under chapter
71.05
or
10.77
RCW;
(l) Upon the death of a person. The person's next of kin, personal representative, guardian, or conservator, if any, must be notified. Next of kin who are of legal age and competent must be notified under this section in the following order: Spouse, parents, children, brothers and sisters, and other relatives according to the degree of relation. Access to all records and information compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing services to a deceased patient are governed by RCW 70.02.140
;
(m) To mark headstones or otherwise memorialize patients interred at state hospital cemeteries. The department of social and health services shall make available the name, date of birth, and date of death of patients buried in state hospital cemeteries fifty years after the death of a patient;
(n) To law enforcement officers and to prosecuting attorneys as are necessary to enforce RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii). The extent of information that may be released is limited as follows:
(i) Only the fact, place, and date of involuntary commitment, an official copy of any order or orders of commitment, and an official copy of any written or oral notice of ineligibility to possess a firearm that was provided to the person pursuant to RCW 9.41.047
(1), must be disclosed upon request;
(ii) The law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys may only release the information obtained to the person's attorney as required by court rule and to a jury or judge, if a jury is waived, that presides over any trial at which the person is charged with violating RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii);
(iii) Tribal law enforcement officers and tribal prosecuting attorneys who enforce tribal laws or tribal court orders similar to RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(v) may also receive confidential information in accordance with this subsection;
(iv) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(o) When a patient would otherwise be subject to the provisions of this section and disclosure is necessary for the protection of the patient or others due to his or her unauthorized disappearance from the facility, and his or her whereabouts is unknown, notice of the disappearance, along with relevant information, may be made to relatives, the department of corrections when the person is under the supervision of the department, and governmental law enforcement agencies designated by the physician or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner in charge of the patient or the professional person in charge of the facility, or his or her professional designee;
(p) Pursuant to lawful order of a court, including a tribal court;
(q) To qualified staff members of the department, to the authority, to behavioral health administrative services organizations, to managed care organizations, 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;
(r) Within the mental health service agency or Indian health care provider 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;
(s) Within the department and the authority as necessary to coordinate treatment for mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorder of persons who are under the supervision of the department;
(t) Between the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, and the health care authority as necessary to coordinate treatment for mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorder of persons who are under the supervision of the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families;
(u) To a licensed physician or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner who has determined that the life or health of the person is in danger and that treatment without the information and records related to mental health services could be injurious to the patient's health. Disclosure must be limited to the portions of the records necessary to meet the medical emergency;
(v)(i) Consistent with the requirements of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act, to:
(A) A health care provider, including an Indian health care provider, who is providing care to a patient, or to whom a patient has been referred for evaluation or treatment; or
(B) Any other person who is working in a care coordinator role for a health care facility, health care provider, or Indian health care provider, or is under an agreement pursuant to the federal health insurance portability and accountability act with a health care facility or a health care provider and requires the information and records to assure coordinated care and treatment of that patient.
(ii) A person authorized to use or disclose information and records related to mental health services under this subsection (2)(v) must take appropriate steps to protect the information and records relating to mental health services.
(iii) Psychotherapy notes may not be released without authorization of the patient who is the subject of the request for release of information;
(w) To administrative and office support staff designated to obtain medical records for those licensed professionals listed in (v) of this subsection;
(x) 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 evaluation and treatment facility to another. The release of records under this subsection is limited to the information and records related to mental health services 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;
(y) 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;
(z) 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 must 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;
(aa) To all current treating providers, including Indian health care providers, of the patient with prescriptive authority who have written a prescription for the patient within the last twelve months. For purposes of coordinating health care, the department or the authority may release without written authorization of the patient, information acquired for billing and collection purposes as described in RCW 70.02.050
(1)(d). The department, or the authority, if applicable, 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. Neither the department nor the authority may release counseling, inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, or drug and alcohol treatment information without a signed written release from the client;
(bb)(i) To the secretary of social and health services and the director of the health care authority for either program evaluation or research, or both so long as the secretary or director, where applicable, adopts rules for the conduct of the evaluation or research, or both. Such rules must include, but need not be limited to, the requirement that all evaluators and researchers 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.
/s/ . . . . . ."
(ii) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit the compilation and publication of statistical data for use by government or researchers under standards, including standards to assure maintenance of confidentiality, set forth by the secretary, or director, where applicable;
(cc) To any person if the conditions in RCW 70.02.205
are met;
(dd) To the secretary of health for the purposes of the maternal mortality review panel established in RCW 70.54.450
; or
(ee) To a tribe or Indian health care provider to carry out the requirements of RCW 71.05.150
(5).
(3) Whenever federal law or federal regulations restrict the release of information contained in the information and records related to mental health services of any patient who receives treatment for a substance use disorder, the department or the authority may restrict the release of the information as necessary to comply with federal law and regulations.
(4) Civil liability and immunity for the release of information about a particular person who is committed to the department of social and health services or the authority under RCW **
71.05.280
(3) and ***
71.05.320
(4)(c) after dismissal of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, is governed by RCW 4.24.550
.
(5) The fact of admission to a provider of mental health services, as well as all records, files, evidence, findings, or orders made, prepared, collected, or maintained pursuant to chapter
71.05
RCW are not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding outside that chapter without the written authorization of the person who was the subject of the proceeding except as provided in RCW 70.02.260, in a subsequent criminal prosecution of a person committed pursuant to RCW **
71.05.280
(3) or ***
71.05.320
(4)(c) on charges that were dismissed pursuant to chapter
10.77
RCW due to incompetency to stand trial, in a civil commitment proceeding pursuant to chapter
71.09
RCW, or, in the case of a minor, a guardianship or dependency proceeding. The records and files maintained in any court proceeding pursuant to chapter
71.05
RCW must be confidential and available subsequent to such proceedings in accordance with RCW 71.05.620
. 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.
(6)(a) Except as provided in RCW 4.24.550, any person may bring an action against an individual who has willfully released confidential information or records concerning him or her in violation of the provisions of this section, for the greater of the following amounts:
(i) One thousand dollars; or
(ii) Three times the amount of actual damages sustained, if any.
(b) It is not a prerequisite to recovery under this subsection that the plaintiff suffered or was threatened with special, as contrasted with general, damages.
(c) Any person may bring an action to enjoin the release of confidential information or records concerning him or her or his or her ward, in violation of the provisions of this section, and may in the same action seek damages as provided in this subsection.
(d) The court may award to the plaintiff, should he or she prevail in any action authorized by this subsection, reasonable attorney fees in addition to those otherwise provided by law.
(e) If an action is brought under this subsection, no action may be brought under RCW 70.02.170
.
[
2024 c 209 s 32
;
2023 c 295 s 12
;
2022 c 268 s 43
. Prior:
2021 c 264 s 17
;
2021 c 263 s 6
;
2020 c 256 s 402
; prior:
2019 c 381 s 19
;
2019 c 325 s 5020
;
2019 c 317 s 2
;
2018 c 201 s 8002
;
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 s 816
; prior:
2017 c 325 s 2
; (2017 c 325 s 1 expired April 1, 2018);
2017 c 298 s 6
; (2017 c 298 s 5 expired April 1, 2018);
2016 sp.s. c 29 s 417
; prior:
2014 c 225 s 71
;
2014 c 220 s 9
;
2013 c 200 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter
10.77
RCW by
2025 c 358 s 2
.
**(2) RCW 71.05.280
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 4, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (3).
***(3) RCW 71.05.320
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 5, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (4)(c).
Findings
—
Intent
—
2023 c 295:
See note following RCW 9.41.040
.
Effective dates
—
2022 c 268:
See note following RCW 7.105.010
.
Application
—
2021 c 263:
See note following RCW 10.77.550
.
Short title
—
2019 c 381:
See note following RCW 71.34.500
.
Effective date
—
2019 c 325:
See note following RCW 71.24.011
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 ss 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822:
See note following RCW 43.216.025
.
Conflict with federal requirements
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6:
See RCW 43.216.908
.
Expiration date
—
2017 c 325 s 1:
"Section 1 of this act expires April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 325 s 3
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 325 s 2:
"Section 2 of this act takes effect April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 325 s 4
.]
Expiration date
—
2017 c 298 s 5:
"Section 5 of this act expires April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 298 s 8
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 298 s 6:
"Section 6 of this act takes effect April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 298 s 7
.]
Effective dates
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See note following RCW 71.05.760
.
Short title
—
Right of action
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See notes following RCW 71.05.010
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 225:
See note following RCW 71.24.016
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
PDF
RCW 70.02.230
Mental health services, confidentiality of records
—
Permitted disclosures.
(Effective June 30, 2027.)
(1) The fact of admission to a provider for mental health services and all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing mental health services to either voluntary or involuntary recipients of services at public or private agencies may not be disclosed except as provided in this section, RCW 70.02.050, 71.05.445, 74.09.295, 70.02.210, 70.02.240, 70.02.250, 70.02.260, and
70.02.265, or pursuant to a valid authorization under RCW 70.02.030
.
(2) Information and records related to mental health services, other than those obtained through treatment under chapter
71.34
RCW, may be disclosed:
(a) In communications between qualified professional persons to meet the requirements of chapter
71.05
RCW, including Indian health care providers, in the provision of services or appropriate referrals, or in the course of guardianship proceedings if provided to a professional person:
(i) Employed by the facility;
(ii) Who has medical responsibility for the patient's care;
(iii) Who is a designated crisis responder;
(iv) Who is providing services under chapter
71.24
RCW;
(v) Who is employed by a state or local correctional facility where the person is confined or supervised; or
(vi) Who is providing evaluation, treatment, or follow-up services under chapter
10.77
RCW;
(b) 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 services to the operator of a facility in which the patient resides or will reside;
(c)(i) When the person receiving services, or his or her guardian, designates persons to whom information or records may be released, or if the person is a minor, when his or her parents make such a designation;
(ii) A public or private agency shall release to a person's next of kin, attorney, personal representative, guardian, or conservator, if any:
(A) The information that the person is presently a patient in the facility or that the person is seriously physically ill;
(B) A statement evaluating the mental and physical condition of the patient, and a statement of the probable duration of the patient's confinement, if such information is requested by the next of kin, attorney, personal representative, guardian, or conservator; and
(iii) Other information requested by the next of kin or attorney as may be necessary to decide whether or not proceedings should be instituted to appoint a guardian or conservator;
(d)(i) To the courts, including tribal courts, as necessary to the administration of chapter
71.05
RCW, or equivalent proceedings in tribal courts, or to a court ordering an evaluation or treatment under chapter
10.77
RCW solely for the purpose of preventing the entry of any evaluation or treatment order that is inconsistent with any order entered under chapter
71.05
RCW.
(ii) To a court or its designee in which a motion under chapter
10.77
RCW has been made for involuntary medication of a defendant for the purpose of competency restoration.
(iii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purpose of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(e)(i) When a mental health professional or designated crisis responder is requested by a representative of a law enforcement or corrections agency, including a police officer, sheriff, community corrections officer, a municipal attorney, or prosecuting attorney to undertake an investigation or provide treatment under RCW 71.05.150, 10.31.110, or
71.05.153, the mental health professional or designated crisis responder shall, if requested to do so, advise the representative in writing of the results of the investigation including a statement of reasons for the decision to detain or release the person investigated. The written report must be submitted within 72 hours of the completion of the investigation or the request from the law enforcement or corrections representative, whichever occurs later.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(f) To the attorney of the detained person;
(g) To the prosecuting attorney, including tribal prosecuting attorney, as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office under RCW 71.05.330
(2), 71.05.340
(1)(b), and
71.05.335
. The prosecutor, including tribal prosecutor, must be provided access to records regarding the committed person's treatment and prognosis, medication, behavior problems, and other records relevant to the issue of whether treatment less restrictive than inpatient treatment is in the best interest of the committed person or others. Information must be disclosed only after giving notice to the committed person and the person's counsel;
(h)(i) To appropriate law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies, and to a person, when the identity of the person is known to the public or private agency, whose health and safety has been threatened, or who is known to have been repeatedly harassed, by the patient. The person may designate a representative to receive the disclosure. The disclosure must be made by the professional person in charge of the public or private agency or his or her designee and must include the dates of commitment, admission, discharge, or release, authorized or unauthorized absence from the agency's facility, and only any other information that is pertinent to the threat or harassment. The agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not, so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as a waiver of sovereign immunity by a tribe.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(i)(i) To appropriate corrections and law enforcement agencies, including tribal corrections and law enforcement agencies, all necessary and relevant information in the event of a crisis or emergent situation that poses a significant and imminent risk to the public. The mental health service agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence.
(ii) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the health insurance portability and accountability act;
(j) To the persons designated in RCW 71.05.425
for the purposes described in those sections;
(k) By a care coordinator, including an Indian health care provider, under RCW 71.05.585
or *
10.77.575
assigned to a person ordered to receive less restrictive alternative treatment for the purpose of sharing information to parties necessary for the implementation of proceedings under chapter
71.05
or
10.77
RCW;
(l) Upon the death of a person. The person's next of kin, personal representative, guardian, or conservator, if any, must be notified. Next of kin who are of legal age and competent must be notified under this section in the following order: Spouse, parents, children, brothers and sisters, and other relatives according to the degree of relation. Access to all records and information compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of providing services to a deceased patient are governed by RCW 70.02.140
;
(m) To mark headstones or otherwise memorialize patients interred at state hospital cemeteries. The department of social and health services shall make available the name, date of birth, and date of death of patients buried in state hospital cemeteries fifty years after the death of a patient;
(n) To law enforcement officers and to prosecuting attorneys as are necessary to enforce RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii). The extent of information that may be released is limited as follows:
(i) Only the fact, place, and date of involuntary commitment, an official copy of any order or orders of commitment, and an official copy of any written or oral notice of ineligibility to possess a firearm that was provided to the person pursuant to RCW 9.41.047
(1), must be disclosed upon request;
(ii) The law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys may only release the information obtained to the person's attorney as required by court rule and to a jury or judge, if a jury is waived, that presides over any trial at which the person is charged with violating RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii);
(iii) Tribal law enforcement officers and tribal prosecuting attorneys who enforce tribal laws or tribal court orders similar to RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(v) may also receive confidential information in accordance with this subsection;
(iv) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(o) When a patient would otherwise be subject to the provisions of this section and disclosure is necessary for the protection of the patient or others due to his or her unauthorized disappearance from the facility, and his or her whereabouts is unknown, notice of the disappearance, along with relevant information, may be made to relatives, the department of corrections when the person is under the supervision of the department, and governmental law enforcement agencies designated by the physician or psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse in charge of the patient or the professional person in charge of the facility, or his or her professional designee;
(p) Pursuant to lawful order of a court, including a tribal court;
(q) To qualified staff members of the department, to the authority, to behavioral health administrative services organizations, to managed care organizations, 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;
(r) Within the mental health service agency or Indian health care provider 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;
(s) Within the department and the authority as necessary to coordinate treatment for mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorder of persons who are under the supervision of the department;
(t) Between the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, and the health care authority as necessary to coordinate treatment for mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorder of persons who are under the supervision of the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families;
(u) To a licensed physician or psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse who has determined that the life or health of the person is in danger and that treatment without the information and records related to mental health services could be injurious to the patient's health. Disclosure must be limited to the portions of the records necessary to meet the medical emergency;
(v)(i) Consistent with the requirements of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act, to:
(A) A health care provider, including an Indian health care provider, who is providing care to a patient, or to whom a patient has been referred for evaluation or treatment; or
(B) Any other person who is working in a care coordinator role for a health care facility, health care provider, or Indian health care provider, or is under an agreement pursuant to the federal health insurance portability and accountability act with a health care facility or a health care provider and requires the information and records to assure coordinated care and treatment of that patient.
(ii) A person authorized to use or disclose information and records related to mental health services under this subsection (2)(v) must take appropriate steps to protect the information and records relating to mental health services.
(iii) Psychotherapy notes may not be released without authorization of the patient who is the subject of the request for release of information;
(w) To administrative and office support staff designated to obtain medical records for those licensed professionals listed in (v) of this subsection;
(x) 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 evaluation and treatment facility to another. The release of records under this subsection is limited to the information and records related to mental health services 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;
(y) 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;
(z) 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 must 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;
(aa) To all current treating providers, including Indian health care providers, of the patient with prescriptive authority who have written a prescription for the patient within the last twelve months. For purposes of coordinating health care, the department or the authority may release without written authorization of the patient, information acquired for billing and collection purposes as described in RCW 70.02.050
(1)(d). The department, or the authority, if applicable, 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. Neither the department nor the authority may release counseling, inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, or drug and alcohol treatment information without a signed written release from the client;
(bb)(i) To the secretary of social and health services and the director of the health care authority for either program evaluation or research, or both so long as the secretary or director, where applicable, adopts rules for the conduct of the evaluation or research, or both. Such rules must include, but need not be limited to, the requirement that all evaluators and researchers 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.
/s/ . . . . . ."
(ii) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit the compilation and publication of statistical data for use by government or researchers under standards, including standards to assure maintenance of confidentiality, set forth by the secretary, or director, where applicable;
(cc) To any person if the conditions in RCW 70.02.205
are met;
(dd) To the secretary of health for the purposes of the maternal mortality review panel established in RCW 70.54.450
; or
(ee) To a tribe or Indian health care provider to carry out the requirements of RCW 71.05.150
(5).
(3) Whenever federal law or federal regulations restrict the release of information contained in the information and records related to mental health services of any patient who receives treatment for a substance use disorder, the department or the authority may restrict the release of the information as necessary to comply with federal law and regulations.
(4) Civil liability and immunity for the release of information about a particular person who is committed to the department of social and health services or the authority under RCW **
71.05.280
(3) and ***
71.05.320
(4)(c) after dismissal of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, is governed by RCW 4.24.550
.
(5) The fact of admission to a provider of mental health services, as well as all records, files, evidence, findings, or orders made, prepared, collected, or maintained pursuant to chapter
71.05
RCW are not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding outside that chapter without the written authorization of the person who was the subject of the proceeding except as provided in RCW 70.02.260, in a subsequent criminal prosecution of a person committed pursuant to RCW **
71.05.280
(3) or ***
71.05.320
(4)(c) on charges that were dismissed pursuant to chapter
10.77
RCW due to incompetency to stand trial, in a civil commitment proceeding pursuant to chapter
71.09
RCW, or, in the case of a minor, a guardianship or dependency proceeding. The records and files maintained in any court proceeding pursuant to chapter
71.05
RCW must be confidential and available subsequent to such proceedings in accordance with RCW 71.05.620
. 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.
(6)(a) Except as provided in RCW 4.24.550, any person may bring an action against an individual who has willfully released confidential information or records concerning him or her in violation of the provisions of this section, for the greater of the following amounts:
(i) One thousand dollars; or
(ii) Three times the amount of actual damages sustained, if any.
(b) It is not a prerequisite to recovery under this subsection that the plaintiff suffered or was threatened with special, as contrasted with general, damages.
(c) Any person may bring an action to enjoin the release of confidential information or records concerning him or her or his or her ward, in violation of the provisions of this section, and may in the same action seek damages as provided in this subsection.
(d) The court may award to the plaintiff, should he or she prevail in any action authorized by this subsection, reasonable attorney fees in addition to those otherwise provided by law.
(e) If an action is brought under this subsection, no action may be brought under RCW 70.02.170
.
[
2025 c 58 s 5129
;
2024 c 209 s 32
;
2023 c 295 s 12
;
2022 c 268 s 43
. Prior:
2021 c 264 s 17
;
2021 c 263 s 6
;
2020 c 256 s 402
; prior:
2019 c 381 s 19
;
2019 c 325 s 5020
;
2019 c 317 s 2
;
2018 c 201 s 8002
;
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 s 816
; prior:
2017 c 325 s 2
; (2017 c 325 s 1 expired April 1, 2018);
2017 c 298 s 6
; (2017 c 298 s 5 expired April 1, 2018);
2016 sp.s. c 29 s 417
; prior:
2014 c 225 s 71
;
2014 c 220 s 9
;
2013 c 200 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter
10.77
RCW by
2025 c 358 s 2
.
**(2) RCW 71.05.280
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 4, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (3).
***(3) RCW 71.05.320
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 5, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (4)(c).
Effective date
—
2025 c 58 ss 5058-5170:
See note following RCW 7.68.030
.
Explanatory note
—
2025 c 58:
See note following RCW 1.16.050
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2023 c 295:
See note following RCW 9.41.040
.
Effective dates
—
2022 c 268:
See note following RCW 7.105.010
.
Application
—
2021 c 263:
See note following RCW 10.77.550
.
Short title
—
2019 c 381:
See note following RCW 71.34.500
.
Effective date
—
2019 c 325:
See note following RCW 71.24.011
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 ss 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822:
See note following RCW 43.216.025
.
Conflict with federal requirements
—
2017 3rd sp.s. c 6:
See RCW 43.216.908
.
Expiration date
—
2017 c 325 s 1:
"Section 1 of this act expires April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 325 s 3
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 325 s 2:
"Section 2 of this act takes effect April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 325 s 4
.]
Expiration date
—
2017 c 298 s 5:
"Section 5 of this act expires April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 298 s 8
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 298 s 6:
"Section 6 of this act takes effect April 1, 2018." [
2017 c 298 s 7
.]
Effective dates
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See note following RCW 71.05.760
.
Short title
—
Right of action
—
2016 sp.s. c 29:
See notes following RCW 71.05.010
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 225:
See note following RCW 71.24.016
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.240
Mental health services
—
Minors
—
Permitted disclosures.
The fact of admission and all information and records related to mental health services obtained through inpatient or outpatient treatment of a minor under chapter
71.34
RCW must be kept confidential, except as authorized by this section or under RCW 70.02.050, 70.02.210, 70.02.230, 70.02.250, 70.02.260, and
70.02.265
. Confidential information under this section may be disclosed only:
(1) In communications between mental health professionals, including Indian health care providers, to meet the requirements of chapter
71.34
RCW, in the provision of services to the minor, or in making appropriate referrals;
(2) In the course of guardianship or dependency proceedings, including proceedings within tribal jurisdictions;
(3) To the minor, the minor's parent, including those acting as a parent as defined in RCW 71.34.020
for purposes of family-initiated treatment, and the minor's attorney, subject to RCW 13.50.100
;
(4) To the courts, including tribal courts, as necessary to administer chapter
71.34
RCW or equivalent proceedings in tribal courts;
(5) By a care coordinator, including an Indian health care provider, under RCW 71.34.755
or *
10.77.575
assigned to a person ordered to receive less restrictive alternative treatment for the purpose of sharing information to parties necessary for the implementation of proceedings under chapter
71.34
or
10.77
RCW;
(6) By a care coordinator, including an Indian health care provider, under RCW 71.34.755
assigned to a person ordered to receive less restrictive alternative treatment for the purpose of sharing information to parties necessary for the implementation of proceedings under chapter
71.34
RCW;
(7) To law enforcement officers, including tribal law enforcement officers, or public health officers, including tribal public health officers, as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of their office. However, only the fact and date of admission, and the date of discharge, the name and address of the treatment provider, if any, and the last known address must be disclosed upon request;
(8) To law enforcement officers, including tribal law enforcement officers, public health officers, including tribal public health officers, relatives, and other governmental law enforcement agencies, if a minor has escaped from custody, disappeared from an evaluation and treatment facility, violated conditions of a less restrictive treatment order, or failed to return from an authorized leave, and then only such information as may be necessary to provide for public safety or to assist in the apprehension of the minor. The officers are obligated to keep the information confidential in accordance with this chapter;
(9) To the secretary of social and health services and the director of the health care authority for assistance in data collection and program evaluation or research so long as the secretary or director, where applicable, adopts rules for the conduct of such evaluation and research. The rules must include, but need not be limited to, the requirement that all evaluators and researchers 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 minors who have received services in a manner such that the minor is identifiable.
I recognize that unauthorized release of confidential information may subject me to civil liability under state law.
/s/ . . . . . . ";
(10) To appropriate law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies, upon request, all necessary and relevant information in the event of a crisis or emergent situation that poses a significant and imminent risk to the public. The mental health service agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not, so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence;
(11) To appropriate law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies, and to a person, when the identity of the person is known to the public or private agency, whose health and safety has been threatened, or who is known to have been repeatedly harassed, by the patient. The person may designate a representative to receive the disclosure. The disclosure must be made by the professional person in charge of the public or private agency or his or her designee and must include the dates of admission, discharge, authorized or unauthorized absence from the agency's facility, and only any other information that is pertinent to the threat or harassment. The agency or its employees are not civilly liable for the decision to disclose or not, so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as a waiver of sovereign immunity by a tribe;
(12) To a minor's next of kin, attorney, guardian, or conservator, if any, the information that the minor is presently in the facility or that the minor is seriously physically ill and a statement evaluating the mental and physical condition of the minor as well as a statement of the probable duration of the minor's confinement;
(13) Upon the death of a minor, to the minor's next of kin;
(14) To a facility, including a tribal facility, in which the minor resides or will reside;
(15) To law enforcement officers and to prosecuting attorneys as are necessary to enforce RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii). The extent of information that may be released is limited as follows:
(a) Only the fact, place, and date of involuntary commitment, an official copy of any order or orders of commitment, and an official copy of any written or oral notice of ineligibility to possess a firearm that was provided to the person pursuant to RCW 9.41.047
(1), must be disclosed upon request;
(b) The law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys may only release the information obtained to the person's attorney as required by court rule and to a jury or judge, if a jury is waived, that presides over any trial at which the person is charged with violating RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(iii);
(c) Disclosure under this subsection is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act;
(d) Tribal law enforcement officers and tribal prosecuting attorneys who enforce tribal laws or tribal court orders similar to RCW 9.41.040
(2)(a)(v) may also receive confidential information in accordance with this subsection;
(16) This section may not be construed to prohibit the compilation and publication of statistical data for use by government or researchers under standards, including standards to assure maintenance of confidentiality, set forth by the director of the health care authority or the secretary of the department of social and health services, where applicable. The fact of admission and all information obtained pursuant to chapter
71.34
RCW are not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding outside chapter
71.34
RCW, except guardianship or dependency, without the written consent of the minor or the minor's parent;
(17) For the purpose of a correctional facility participating in the postinstitutional medical assistance system supporting the expedited medical determinations and medical suspensions as provided in RCW 74.09.555
and
74.09.295
;
(18) Pursuant to a lawful order of a court, including a tribal court.
[
2024 c 209 s 33
;
2023 c 295 s 13
;
2022 c 268 s 44
. Prior:
2021 c 264 s 18
;
2021 c 263 s 7
;
2019 c 381 s 20
;
2018 c 201 s 8003
;
2013 c 200 s 8
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter
10.77
RCW by
2025 c 358 s 2
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2023 c 295:
See note following RCW 9.41.040
.
Effective dates
—
2022 c 268:
See note following RCW 7.105.010
.
Application
—
2021 c 263:
See note following RCW 10.77.550
.
Short title
—
2019 c 381:
See note following RCW 71.34.500
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.250
Mental health services
—
Department of corrections.
(1) Information and records related to mental health services delivered to a person subject to chapter
9.94A
or
9.95
RCW must be released, upon request, by a mental health service agency to department of corrections personnel for whom the information is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of their office. The information must be provided only for the purpose of completing presentence investigations, supervision of an incarcerated person, planning for and provision of supervision of a person, or assessment of a person's risk to the community. The request must be in writing and may not require the consent of the subject of the records.
(2) The information to be released to the department of corrections must include all relevant records and reports, as defined by rule, necessary for the department of corrections to carry out its duties, including those records and reports identified in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The authority shall, subject to available resources, electronically, or by the most cost-effective means available, provide the department of corrections with the names, last dates of services, and addresses of specific behavioral health administrative services organizations, managed care organizations contracted with the authority under chapter
74.09
RCW, and mental health service agencies that delivered mental health services to a person subject to chapter
9.94A
or
9.95
RCW pursuant to an agreement between the authority and the department of corrections.
(4) The authority, in consultation with the department, the department of corrections, behavioral health administrative services organizations, managed care organizations contracted with the authority under chapter
74.09
RCW, mental health service agencies as defined in RCW 70.02.010, mental health consumers, and advocates for persons with mental illness, shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section related to the type and scope of information to be released. These rules must:
(a) Enhance and facilitate the ability of the department of corrections to carry out its responsibility of planning and ensuring community protection with respect to persons subject to sentencing under chapter
9.94A
or
9.95
RCW, including accessing and releasing or disclosing information of persons who received mental health services as a minor; and
(b) Establish requirements for the notification of persons under the supervision of the department of corrections regarding the provisions of this section.
(5) The information received by the department of corrections under this section must remain confidential and subject to the limitations on disclosure outlined in chapter
71.34
RCW, except as provided in RCW 72.09.585
.
(6) No mental health service agency or individual employed by a mental health service agency may be held responsible for information released to or used by the department of corrections under the provisions of this section or rules adopted under this section.
(7) Whenever federal law or federal regulations restrict the release of information contained in the treatment records of any patient who receives treatment for alcoholism or drug dependency, the release of the information may be restricted as necessary to comply with federal law and regulations.
(8) This section does not modify the terms and conditions of disclosure of information related to sexually transmitted diseases under this chapter.
[
2019 c 325 s 5021
;
2018 c 201 s 8004
;
2014 c 225 s 72
;
2013 c 200 s 9
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2019 c 325:
See note following RCW 71.24.011
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 225:
See note following RCW 71.24.016
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.260
Mental health services
—
Requests for information and records.
(1)(a) A mental health service agency shall release to the persons authorized under subsection (2) of this section, upon request:
(i) The fact, place, and date of an involuntary commitment, the fact and date of discharge or release, and the last known address of a person who has been committed under chapter
71.05
or
71.34
RCW.
(ii) Information and records related to mental health services, in the format determined under subsection (9) of this section, concerning a person who:
(A) Is currently committed to the custody or supervision of the department of corrections or the indeterminate sentence review board under chapter
9.94A
or
9.95
RCW;
(B) Has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a serious violent offense; or
(C) Was charged with a serious violent offense and the charges were dismissed under *RCW 10.77.645
.
(b) Legal counsel for the mental health service agency, including a county prosecutor or assistant attorney general who represents the mental health service agency for the purpose of involuntary commitment proceedings, may release this information on behalf of the mental health service agency.
(c) Nothing in this subsection requires the disclosure of attorney work product or attorney-client privileged information.
(2) The information subject to release under subsection (1) of this section must be released to law enforcement officers, city or county prosecuting attorneys, personnel of a county, city, or tribal jail or tribal detention or holding facility, designated mental health professionals or designated crisis responders, as appropriate, public health officers, therapeutic court personnel as defined in RCW 71.05.020, or personnel of the department of corrections, including the indeterminate sentence review board and personnel assigned to perform board-related duties, when such information is requested during the course of business and for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities of the requesting person's office. No mental health service agency or person employed by a mental health service agency, or its legal counsel, may be liable for information released to or used under the provisions of this section or rules adopted under this section except under RCW 71.05.680
.
(3) A person who requests information under subsection (1)(a)(ii) of this section must comply with the following restrictions:
(a) Information must be requested only for the purposes permitted by this subsection and for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities of the requesting person's office. Appropriate purposes for requesting information under this section include:
(i) Completing presentence investigations or risk assessment reports;
(ii) Assessing a person's risk to the community;
(iii) Assessing a person's risk of harm to self or others when confined in a city or county jail;
(iv) Planning for and provision of supervision of an offender, including decisions related to sanctions for violations of conditions of community supervision; and
(v) Responding to an offender's failure to report for department of corrections supervision; and
(vi) Assessing the need for an extreme risk protection order under chapter
7.105
RCW;
(b) Information may not be requested under this section unless the requesting person has reasonable suspicion that the individual who is the subject of the information:
(i) Has engaged in activity indicating that a crime or a violation of community custody or parole has been committed or, based upon his or her current or recent past behavior, is likely to be committed in the near future; or
(ii) Is exhibiting signs of a deterioration in mental functioning which may make the individual appropriate for civil commitment under chapter
71.05
or
71.34
RCW, or which is associated with a recent detention or order of commitment under chapter
71.05
or
71.34
RCW or an order of commitment or dismissal of charges under chapter
10.77
RCW; and
(c) Any information received under this section must be held confidential and subject to the limitations on disclosure outlined in this chapter, except:
(i) The information may be shared with other persons who have the right to request similar information under subsection (2) of this section, solely for the purpose of coordinating activities related to the individual who is the subject of the information in a manner consistent with the official responsibilities of the persons involved;
(ii) The information may be shared with a prosecuting attorney who is acting in an advisory capacity for a person who receives information under this section or who is carrying out other official duties within the scope of this section. A prosecuting attorney under this subsection is subject to the same restrictions and confidentiality limitations as the person who requested the information; and
(iii) As provided in RCW 72.09.585
.
(4) A request for information and records related to mental health services under this section does not require the consent of the subject of the records. The request must be provided in writing, except to the extent authorized in subsection (5) of this section. A written request may include requests made by email or facsimile so long as the requesting person is clearly identified. The request must specify the information being requested.
(5) In the event of an emergency situation that poses a significant risk to the public or the offender, a mental health service agency, or its legal counsel, shall release information related to mental health services delivered to the offender and, if known, information regarding where the offender is likely to be found to the department of corrections or law enforcement upon request. The initial request may be written or oral. All oral requests must be subsequently confirmed in writing. Information released in response to an oral request is limited to a statement as to whether the offender is or is not being treated by the mental health service agency and the address or information about the location or whereabouts of the offender.
(6) Disclosure under this section to state or local law enforcement authorities is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act.
(7) Whenever federal law or federal regulations restrict the release of information contained in the treatment records of any patient who receives treatment for alcoholism or drug dependency, the release of the information may be restricted as necessary to comply with federal law and regulations.
(8) This section does not modify the terms and conditions of disclosure of information related to sexually transmitted diseases under this chapter.
(9) In collaboration with interested organizations, the authority shall develop a standard form for requests for information related to mental health services made under this section and a standard format for information provided in response to the requests. Consistent with the goals of the health information privacy provisions of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act, in developing the standard form for responsive information, the authority shall design the form in such a way that the information disclosed is limited to the minimum necessary to serve the purpose for which the information is requested.
[
2024 c 290 s 6
;
2024 c 209 s 34
;
2018 c 201 s 8005
;
2013 c 200 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter
10.77
RCW by
2025 c 358 s 2
.
(2) This section was amended by 2024 c 209 s 34 and by 2024 c 290 s 6, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025
(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025
(1).
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.265
Adolescent behavioral health services
—
Disclosure of treatment information and records
—
Restrictions and requirements
—
Immunity from liability.
(1)(a) When an adolescent voluntarily consents to his or her own mental health treatment under RCW 71.34.500
or
71.34.530, a mental health professional shall not proactively exercise his or her discretion under RCW 70.02.240
to release information or records related to solely mental health services received by the adolescent to a parent of the adolescent, beyond any notification required under RCW 71.34.510, unless the adolescent states a clear desire to do so which is documented by the mental health professional, except in situations concerning an imminent threat to the health and safety of the adolescent or others, or as otherwise may be required by law.
(b) In the event a mental health professional discloses information or releases records, or both, that relate solely to mental health services of an adolescent, to a parent pursuant to RCW 70.02.240
(3), the mental health professional must provide notice of this disclosure to the adolescent and the adolescent must have a reasonable opportunity to express any concerns about this disclosure to the mental health professional prior to the disclosure of the information or records related solely to mental health services. The mental health professional shall document any objections to disclosure in the adolescent's medical record if the mental health professional subsequently discloses information or records related solely to mental health services over the objection of the adolescent.
(2) When an adolescent receives a mental health evaluation or treatment at the direction of a parent under RCW 71.34.600
through
71.34.670, the mental health professional is encouraged to exercise his or her discretion under RCW 70.02.240
to proactively release to the parent such information and records related to solely mental health services received by the adolescent, excluding psychotherapy notes, that are necessary to assist the parent in understanding the nature of the evaluation or treatment and in supporting their child. Such information includes:
(a) Diagnosis;
(b) Treatment plan and progress in treatment;
(c) Recommended medications, including risks, benefits, side effects, typical efficacy, dose, and schedule;
(d) Psychoeducation about the child's mental health;
(e) Referrals to community resources;
(f) Coaching on parenting or behavioral management strategies; and
(g) Crisis prevention planning and safety planning.
(3) If, after receiving a request from a parent for release of mental health treatment information relating to an adolescent, the mental health professional determines that disclosure of information or records related solely to mental health services pursuant to RCW 70.02.240
(3) would be detrimental to the adolescent and declines to disclose such information or records, the mental health professional shall document the reasons for the lack of disclosure in the adolescent's medical record.
(4) Information or records about an adolescent's substance use disorder evaluation or treatment may be provided to a parent without the written consent of the adolescent only if permitted by federal law. A mental health professional or chemical dependency professional providing substance use disorder evaluation or treatment to an adolescent may seek the written consent of the adolescent to provide substance use disorder treatment information or records to a parent when the mental health professional or chemical dependency professional determines that both seeking the written consent and sharing the substance use disorder treatment information or records of the adolescent would not be detrimental to the adolescent.
(5) A mental health professional providing inpatient or outpatient mental health evaluation or treatment is not civilly liable for the decision to disclose information or records related to solely mental health services or not disclose such information or records so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence.
(6) A chemical dependency professional or mental health professional providing inpatient or outpatient substance use disorder evaluation or treatment is not civilly liable for the decision to disclose information or records related to substance use disorder treatment information with the written consent of the adolescent or to not disclose such information or records to a parent without an adolescent's consent pursuant to this section so long as the decision was reached in good faith and without gross negligence.
(7) For purposes of this section, "adolescent" means a minor thirteen years of age or older.
[
2019 c 381 s 18
.]
NOTES:
Short title
—
2019 c 381:
See note following RCW 71.34.500
.
RCW 70.02.270
Health care information
—
Use or disclosure prohibited.
(1) No person who receives health care information for health care education, or to provide planning, quality assurance, peer review, or administrative, legal, financial, or actuarial services, or other health care operations for or on behalf of a health care provider or health care facility, may use or disclose any health care information received from the health care provider or health care facility in any manner that would violate the requirements of this chapter if performed by the health care provider or health care facility.
(2) A health care provider or health care facility that has a contractual relationship with a person to provide services described under subsection (1) of this section may terminate the contractual relationship with the person if the health care provider or health care facility learns that the person has engaged in a pattern of activity that violates the person's duties under subsection (1) of this section, unless the person took reasonable steps to correct the breach of confidentiality or has discontinued the violating activity.
[
2014 c 220 s 10
;
2013 c 200 s 11
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.280
Health care providers and facilities
—
Prohibited actions.
A health care provider, health care facility, and their assistants, employees, agents, and contractors may not:
(1) Use or disclose health care information for marketing or fund-raising purposes, unless permitted by federal law; or
(2) Sell health care information to a third party, except:
(a) For purposes of treatment or payment;
(b) For purposes of sale, transfer, merger, or consolidation of a business;
(c) For purposes of remuneration to a third party for services;
(d) As disclosures are required by law;
(e) For purposes of providing access to or accounting of disclosures to an individual;
(f) For public health purposes;
(g) For research;
(h) With an individual's authorization;
(i) Where a reasonable cost-based fee is paid to prepare and transmit health information, where authority to disclose the information is provided in this chapter; or
(j) In a format that is deidentified and aggregated.
[
2014 c 220 s 11
;
2013 c 200 s 12
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.290
Agency rule-making requirements
—
Use/destruction of health care information by certain state and local agencies
—
Unauthorized disclosure
—
Notice
—
Rules/policies available on agency's website.
(1) All state or local agencies obtaining patient health care information pursuant to RCW 70.02.050
and
70.02.200
through
70.02.240
that are not health care facilities or providers shall adopt rules establishing their record acquisition, retention, destruction, and security policies that are consistent with this chapter.
(2) State and local agencies that are not health care facilities or providers that have not requested health care information and are not authorized to receive this information under this chapter:
(a) Must not use or disclose this information unless permitted under this chapter; and
(b) Must destroy the information in accordance with the policy developed under subsection (1) of this section or return the information to the entity that provided the information to the state or local agency if the entity is a health care facility or provider and subject to this chapter.
(3) A person who has health care information disclosed in violation of subsection (2)(a) of this section, must be informed of the disclosure by the state or local agency improperly making the disclosure. State and local agencies that are not health care facilities or providers must develop a policy to establish a reasonable notification period and what information must be included in the notice, including whether the name of the entity that originally provided the information to the agency must be included.
(4) Rules or policies adopted under this section must be available through each agency's website.
[
2014 c 220 s 1
;
2013 c 200 s 13
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
"Sections 1 through 7 and 9 through *16 of this act take effect July 1, 2014." [
2014 c 220 s 17
.]
*Reviser's note:
2014 c 220 s 16 was vetoed.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.300
Sexually transmitted diseases
—
Required statement upon disclosure.
Whenever disclosure is made of information and records related to sexually transmitted diseases pursuant to this chapter, except for RCW 70.02.050
(1)(a) and
70.02.220
(2) (a) and (b) and (7), it must be accompanied by a statement in writing which includes the following or substantially similar language: "This information has been disclosed to you from records whose confidentiality is protected by state law. State law prohibits you from making any further disclosure of it without the specific written authorization of the person to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by state law. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is NOT sufficient for this purpose." An oral disclosure must be accompanied or followed by such a notice within ten days.
[
2013 c 200 s 14
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.310
Mental health services
—
Information and records.
(1) Resource management services shall establish procedures to provide reasonable and timely access to information and records related to mental health services for an individual. However, access may not be denied at any time to records of all medications and somatic treatments received by the person.
(2) Following discharge, a person who has received mental health services has a right to a complete record of all medications and somatic treatments prescribed during evaluation, admission, or commitment and to a copy of the discharge summary prepared at the time of his or her discharge. A reasonable and uniform charge for reproduction may be assessed.
(3) Information and records related to mental health services may be modified prior to inspection to protect the confidentiality of other patients or the names of any other persons referred to in the record who gave information on the condition that his or her identity remain confidential. Entire documents may not be withheld to protect such confidentiality.
(4) At the time of discharge resource management services shall inform all persons who have received mental health services of their rights as provided in this chapter and RCW 71.05.620
.
[
2014 c 220 s 12
;
2013 c 200 s 15
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.320
Mental health services
—
Minors
—
Prompt entry in record upon disclosure.
When disclosure of information and records related to mental services pertaining to a minor, as defined in RCW 71.34.020, is made, the date and circumstances under which the disclosure was made, the name or names of the persons or agencies to whom such disclosure was made and their relationship if any, to the minor, and the information disclosed must be entered promptly in the minor's clinical record.
[
2013 c 200 s 16
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.330
Obtaining confidential records under false pretenses
—
Penalty.
Any person who requests or obtains confidential information and records related to mental health services pursuant to this chapter under false pretenses is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
[
2013 c 200 s 17
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.340
Disclosure of information and records related to mental health services
—
Agency rule-making authority.
The authority shall adopt rules related to the disclosure of information and records related to mental health services.
[
2018 c 201 s 8006
;
2014 c 220 s 13
;
2013 c 200 s 18
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2014 c 220:
See note following RCW 70.02.290
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.350
Release of information to protect the public.
In addition to any other information required to be released under this chapter, the department of social and health services and the authority are authorized, pursuant to RCW 4.24.550, to release relevant information that is necessary to protect the public, concerning a specific person committed under RCW *
71.05.280
(3) or **
71.05.320
(3)(c) following dismissal of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030
.
[
2018 c 201 s 8007
;
2013 c 200 s 19
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
*(1) RCW 71.05.280
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 4, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (3).
**(2) RCW 71.05.320
was amended by 2013 c 289 s 5, substantially modifying the provisions of subsection (3)(c). RCW 71.05.320
was subsequently amended by 2015 c 250 s 11, changing subsection (3) to subsection (4).
Findings
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2018 c 201:
See notes following RCW 41.05.018
.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
RCW 70.02.360
Disclosure authorizations for forensic examinations
—
Duration.
A disclosure authorization to a health care provider or health care facility authorizing disclosure of information to law enforcement regarding a forensic examination performed for the purposes of gathering evidence for possible prosecution of a criminal offense must be valid until the end of all related criminal proceedings or a later event selected by the provider, facility, patient, or patient's representative, unless the patient or patient's representative requests a different expiration date or event for the disclosure authorization.
[
2023 c 197 s 9
.]
RCW 70.02.370
Certification of serious health conditions for paid family or medical leave qualification.
(1) A health care provider shall provide a certification of a serious health condition required by chapter
50A.15
RCW for qualifying a patient for paid family or medical leave, including any required documentation of a serious health condition, within seven calendar days of receipt of a request and authorization from the patient. Nothing in this section requires a provider to complete a certification for a serious health condition for which the provider does not have the necessary patient information.
(2) If a health care facility requires administrative review of information or documentation required by chapter
50A.15
RCW prior to allowing a provider to submit the certification of a serious health condition, then the facility shall implement and maintain policies and practices in conformance with subsection (1) of this section.
(3) A health care provider or health care facility may not charge a fee for the execution of a certification of a serious health condition under this section. This does not prohibit or limit the ability of a health care provider to charge a fee associated with any office visit necessary for evaluating the patient.
[
2024 c 150 s 1
.]
RCW 70.02.900
Conflicting laws.
(1) This chapter does not restrict a health care provider, a third-party payor, or an insurer regulated under Title
48
RCW from complying with obligations imposed by federal or state health care payment programs or federal or state law.
(2) This chapter does not modify the terms and conditions of disclosure under Title
51
RCW and chapters
13.50, 26.09, 70.24, *70.96A, and
74.09
RCW and rules adopted under these provisions.
[
2013 c 200 s 20
;
2011 c 305 s 10
;
2000 c 5 s 4
;
1991 c 335 s 901
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
Chapter
70.96A
RCW was repealed and/or recodified in its entirety pursuant to 2016 sp.s. c 29 ss 301, 601, and 701.
Effective date
—
2013 c 200:
See note following RCW 70.02.010
.
Findings
—
2011 c 305:
See note following RCW 74.09.295
.
Intent
—
Purpose
—
2000 c 5:
See RCW 48.43.500
.
Application
—
Short title
—
Captions not law
—
Construction
—
Severability
—
Application to contracts
—
Effective dates
—
2000 c 5:
See notes following RCW 48.43.500
.
RCW 70.02.901
Application and construction
—
1991 c 335.
This act shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this act among states enacting it.
[
1991 c 335 s 903
.]
RCW 70.02.902
Short title.
This act may be cited as the uniform health care information act.
[
1991 c 335 s 904
.]
RCW 70.02.905
Construction
—
Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships
—
2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[
2009 c 521 s 149
.]