1. (1) Local health officers and local health jurisdiction employees shall maintain the confidentiality of health care information consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW, RCW 42.56.360(2), and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
2. (2) Local health officers or local health jurisdictions shall establish and implement confidentiality policies and procedures related to employee handling of health care information.

3. (3) Local health officers shall:

   1. (a) Require all local health jurisdiction employees with access to health care information to sign confidentiality agreements;
   2. (b) Retain current signed confidentiality agreements;
   3. (c) Reference in confidentiality agreements the penalties for violation of chapter 70.24 RCW and administrative actions that may be taken by the local health jurisdiction if the confidentiality agreement is violated; and
   4. (d) Renew confidentiality agreements at least annually.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-515, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-515, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-515, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]