OLYMPIA… Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6106 today won full legislative approval. The measure requires health care providers to disclose specified patient information to law enforcement officials when the patient is believed to be involved in a crime.

Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County and prime sponsor of the bill, said the bill will allow hospitals to provide critical information to law enforcement, while keeping them in compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

“This bill offers a simple change, but one that I think will eliminate confusion,” Brandland said. “Both hospital and law enforcement groups have shown support for this measure, and I’m happy to see we were able to come to agreement on bill. Everyone has the same interest in doing the right thing; no one wants to see a criminal released into the public to reoffend.”

The bill clarifies the state’s current patient privacy law to act in accordance with the federal HIPAA law which does not allow the release of patient information without consent from the patient. The new law makes an exception by having state law explicitly instruct 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. ESSB 6106 provides needed clarity by saying hospitals “shall” release the information.

Brandland added that without this fix, health care providers treating a patient suspected to be involved in a crime, could potentially not be allowed to give law enforcement officials basic information about the suspect including his/her name, when he/she was admitted, or even whether he/she was released.

The bill has now been approved by the both the Senate and the House, and now heads to the Governor’s office.

For more information contact Catherine Trinh (360) 786-7503 or trinh.catherine@leg.wa.gov