Southwest Behavioral Health Center is governed by the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Only direct treatment staff, appropriate State Division staff, and/or other staff as designated by the Clinical Director of the Center may have access to client information or clinical records. Access to client information will be limited by a legal right and “demonstrated need to know”. Other than specified above, service record information may only be shared under one or more of the following conditions:

• When a client signs a consent form to authorize the Center to share specific, pertinent information with appropriate parties
  
  
• When an emergency exists and there is reason to believe that there is imminent danger to a client or to others
  
  
• When there is a court order to produce specific records
  
  
• When the law requires release of specific pertinent information
  
  
• For individuals involved in substance abuse treatment, staff will maintain confidentiality based upon Federal Regulation 42CFR – subsection 2.22 (d)..