Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=5.60.060
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 09:43:19
Document Index: 281300567

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RCW 5.60.060: Who is disqualified—Privileged communications.
RCWs > Title 5 > Chapter 5.60 > Section 5.60.060
5.60.050 << 5.60.060 >> 5.60.070
RCW 5.60.060
Who is disqualified—Privileged communications.
*** CHANGE IN 2020 *** (SEE 2762.SL) ***
(6)(a) A peer support group counselor shall not, without consent of the first responder or jail staff person making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the counselor by the first responder or jail staff person while receiving counseling. The counselor must be designated as such by the agency employing the first responder or jail staff person prior to the incident that results in counseling. The privilege only applies when the communication was made to the counselor while acting in his or her capacity as a peer support group counselor. The privilege does not apply if the counselor was an initial responding first responder or jail staff person, a witness, or a party to the incident which prompted the delivery of peer support group counseling services to the first responder or jail staff person.
(iii) "Limited authority law enforcement officer" means a limited authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020 who is employed by the department of corrections, state parks and recreation commission, department of natural resources, liquor and cannabis board, or Washington state gambling commission; and
(iv) "Peer support group counselor" means:
(A) A first responder or jail staff person or a civilian employee of a first responder entity or agency, local jail, or state agency who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to a first responder or jail staff person who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the first responder or jail staff person was involved while acting in his or her official capacity; or
(B) A nonemployee counselor who has been designated by the first responder entity or agency, local jail, or state agency to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to a first responder or jail staff person who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the first responder or jail staff person was involved while acting in his or her official capacity.
(a) For purposes of this section, "domestic violence advocate" means an employee or supervised volunteer from a community-based domestic violence program or human services program that provides information, advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, or support to victims of domestic violence and who is not employed by, or under the direct supervision of, a law enforcement agency, a prosecutor's office, or the child protective services section of the department of social and health services as defined in *RCW 26.44.020.
(b) A domestic violence advocate may disclose a confidential communication without the consent of the victim if failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person. This section does not relieve a domestic violence advocate from the requirement to report or cause to be reported an incident under RCW 26.44.030(1) or to disclose relevant records relating to a child as required by **RCW 26.44.030(14). Any domestic violence advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of communications under this subsection is immune from liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this subsection, the good faith of the domestic violence advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be presumed.
[ 2019 c 98 § 1; 2018 c 165 § 1. Prior: 2016 sp.s. c 29 § 402; 2016 sp.s. c 24 § 1; 2012 c 29 § 12; 2009 c 424 § 1; 2008 c 6 § 402; 2007 c 472 § 1; prior: 2006 c 259 § 2; 2006 c 202 § 1; 2006 c 30 § 1; 2005 c 504 § 705; 2001 c 286 § 2; 1998 c 72 § 1; 1997 c 338 § 1; 1996 c 156 § 1; 1995 c 240 § 1; 1989 c 271 § 301; prior: 1989 c 10 § 1; 1987 c 439 § 11; 1987 c 212 § 1501; 1986 c 305 § 101; 1982 c 56 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 215 § 2; 1965 c 13 § 7; Code 1881 § 392; 1879 p 118 § 1; 1877 p 86 § 394; 1873 p 107 § 385; 1869 p 104 § 387; 1854 p 187 § 294; RRS § 1214. Cf. 1886 p 73 § 1.]
Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 26.44.020 was amended by 2017 3rd sp. sess. c 6 § 321, changing the definition of "child protective services" to substitute the department of social and health services with the department of children, youth, and families, effective July 1, 2018.
**(2) RCW 26.44.030 was amended by 2019 c 172 § 6, changing subsection (14) to subsection (15).
Intent—2006 c 259: "The legislature intends, by amending RCW 5.60.060, to recognize that advocates help domestic violence victims by giving them the support and counseling they need to recover from their abuse, and by providing resources to achieve protection from further abuse. Without assurance that communications made with a domestic violence advocate will be confidential and protected from disclosure, victims will be deterred from confiding openly or seeking information and counseling, resulting in a failure to receive vital advocacy and support needed for recovery and protection from abuse. But investigative or prosecutorial functions performed by individuals who assist victims in the criminal legal system and in other state agencies are different from the advocacy and counseling functions performed by advocates who work under the auspices or supervision of a community victim services program. The legislature recognizes the important role played by individuals who assist victims in the criminal legal system and in other state agencies, but intends that the testimonial privilege not be extended to individuals who perform an investigative or prosecutorial function." [ 2006 c 259 § 1.]
Recommendations—Application—Effective date—2001 c 286: See notes following RCW 71.09.015.
Severability—1997 c 338: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1997 c 338 § 74.]
Effective dates—1997 c 338: "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 July 1, 1997, except sections 10, 12, 18, 24 through 26, 30, 38, and 59 of this act which take effect July 1, 1998." [ 1997 c 338 § 75.]
Severability—1982 c 56: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1982 c 56 § 2.]
Maternal mortality review panel—Attendees and participants: RCW 70.54.450.
Nonsupport or family desertion, spouse or domestic partner as witness: RCW 26.20.071.
Optometrist—Client, privileged communications: RCW 18.53.200.
Psychologist—Client, privileged communications: RCW 18.83.110.