Washington § 74.13.280 - Client information.

(1) Except as provided in RCW 70.02.220, whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care by the department or with an agency, the department or agency shall share information known to the department or agency about the child and the child's family with the care provider and shall consult with the care provider regarding the child's case plan. If the child is dependent pursuant to a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW, the department or agency shall keep the care provider informed regarding the dates and location of dependency review and permanency planning hearings pertaining to the child.

(2) Information about the child and the child's family shall include information known to the department or agency as to whether the child is a sexually reactive child, has exhibited high-risk behaviors, or is physically assaultive or physically aggressive, as defined in this section.

(3) Information about the child shall also include information known to the department or agency that the child:

(a) Has received a medical diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effect;

(b) Has been diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional as having a mental health disorder;

(c) Has witnessed a death or substantial physical violence in the past or recent past; or

(d) Was a victim of sexual or severe physical abuse in the recent past.

(4) Any person who receives information about a child or a child's family pursuant to this section shall keep the information confidential and shall not further disclose or disseminate the information except as authorized by law. Care providers shall agree in writing to keep the information that they receive confidential and shall affirm that the information will not be further disclosed or disseminated, except as authorized by law.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department or an agency to disclose client information or to maintain client confidentiality as provided by law.

(6) The department may share the following mental health treatment records with a care provider, even if the child does not consent to releasing those records, if the department has initiated treatment pursuant to RCW 71.34.600 through 71.34.670:

(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.

(7) The department may not share substance use disorder treatment records with a care provider without the written consent of the child except as permitted by federal law.

(8) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Sexually reactive child" means a child who exhibits sexual behavior problems including, but not limited to, sexual behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate for their age or are harmful to the child or others.

(b) "High-risk behavior" means an observed or reported and documented history of one or more of the following:

(i) Suicide attempts or suicidal behavior or ideation;

(ii) Self-mutilation or similar self-destructive behavior;

(iii) Fire-setting or a developmentally inappropriate fascination with fire;

(iv) Animal torture;

(v) Property destruction; or

(vi) Substance or alcohol abuse.

(c) "Physically assaultive or physically aggressive" means a child who exhibits one or more of the following behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate and harmful to the child or to others:

(i) Observed assaultive behavior;

(ii) Reported and documented history of the child willfully assaulting or inflicting bodily harm; or

(iii) Attempting to assault or inflict bodily harm on other children or adults under circumstances where the child has the apparent ability or capability to carry out the attempted assaults including threats to use a weapon.

(d) "Care provider" means a person with whom a child is placed in out-of-home care, or a designated official for a group care facility licensed by the department.

Short title—2019 c 381: See note following RCW 71.34.500.

Effective date—2013 c 200: See note following RCW 70.02.010.

Effective date—2007 c 409: See note following RCW 13.34.096.

Effective date—1997 c 272: See note following RCW 74.13.031.

Finding—Effective date—1990 c 284: See notes following RCW 74.13.250.