OLYMPIA…Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County, today praised the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 6106, saying the bill will allow law enforcement officials and health care providers to work hand-in-hand in criminal investigations.

“Being a former sheriff, I know the important role hospitals can play in helping to solve a crime,” Brandland said. “Without the help of hospitals, criminals can sometimes be released and may reoffend. For too long, hospitals have been caught between federal and state law. I’m glad we voted to fix that.”

Brandland’s bill requires health care providers to disclose specified patient information to law enforcement officials when the patient is believed to be involved in a crime. SB 6106 passed the Senate unanimously on Saturday.

The bill clarifies the state’s current patient privacy law to act in accordance with with privacy provisions of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA does not allow the release of patient information without consent from the patient – in these cases, the suspected criminal. The exception is when state law explicitly instructs health care providers to do so.

Under current law, health care providers “may” provide patient information for purposes of a criminal investigation, which has created confusion for local hospitals.

SB 6106 provides needed clarity by saying hospitals “shall” release the information.

The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.

Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County, served as Whatcom County sheriff and a Bellingham police officer before being elected to the state Senate in 2002. Brandland serves on the Financial Institutions, Housing and Consumer Protection Committee, Health and Long-Term Care Committee, Human Services and Corrections Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee.