Permissible Disclosures

Constantine, Aronson, and Wilber (1994) list the following standards under Permissible Disclosures:

• Standard 4.5 - " 'Nonidentifiable' information may be shared for statistical research or other purposes provided agencies ensure that the information is truly nonidentifiable." (p. 107)

• Standard 4.6 - "Agencies should provide clients, in their own language, verbal and written explanations of their practices regarding the sharing of nonconfidential personal information." (p. 108)

• Standard 4.7 - "Agency personnel may share confidential information within the agency when necessary to fulfill the administrative purposes of the agency." (p. 108)

• Standard 4.8 - "Agencies should develop policies to promptly discharge their duty to report information required by law." (p. 109)

• Standard 4.9 - "Written consent should be the primary method of obtaining authorization to transfer client information." (p. 109)

• Standard 4.10 - "Agencies must take steps to ensure that any consent to release confidential information is 'informed.' " (p. 109)

• Standard 4.11 - "Agencies should obtain a minor client's consent to release information concerning treatment for which parental consent is not necessary." (p. 110)

• Standard 4.12 - "Consent to release information must always be in writing, should be specific and detailed, and should contain ten components:

• The name of the person who is the subject of the disclosure.

• The individual or agency making the disclosure.

• The individual or agency to receive the information.

• The purpose of the disclosure.

• How much and what kind of information are to be disclosed.

• The signature of the person who is the subject of the information.

• The date on which the release was signed.

• A statement advising the client that he or she may revoke the consent at any time except to the extent the agency has already relied on it.

• A date, event, or condition upon which the consent will automatically expire.

• A statement that the subject of the information has a right to a copy of the release." (p. 111)

• Standard 4.13 - "When an agency is unable to obtain client consent, it can share information pursuant to a valid court order." (p. 112)

• Standard 4.14 - "Agencies should inform clients of their right to view and obtain copies of their records." (p. 112)

  References