HB 586 Prohibits peer support specialists from disclosing any confidential communication properly entrusted to the counselor by law enforcement and emergency personnel while receiving counseling

     Handler: Rowden

Current Bill Summary

- Prepared by Senate Research -

HB 586 - This act prohibits peer support specialists who obtain information from law enforcement officers or emergency services personnel while acting in their capacity as a peer support specialist to disclose any confidential information unless certain conditions specified in the act are met. These conditions include threats of suicide, information relating to the abuse of spouses, children, or the elderly, admission of criminal conduct, and disclosure of certain protected information for which appropriate consent to disclose has been given.

There is no prohibition on communication between peer support specialists or any communication between the specialists and the supervisors or staff of an employee assistance program. There is also no prohibition on communication regarding fitness of an employee for duty between an employee assistance program and an employer.

This act is similar to a provision of SCS/HCS/HB 57 (2017), a provision of SS#2/SCS/HCS/HBs 302 & 228 (2017), and SB 385 (2017).

JOHN GRANA

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