Summary of HIPAA and Federal Drug and Alcohol Confidentiality Law

The following is a brief summary of my research on the Federal Drug and Alcohol Confidentiality Law (42 CFR Part 2) and (HIPAA) which I thought would be useful before our meeting. I also included a brief summary of the Federal Education Reporting Privacy Act (FERPA).  This overview is cursory and only meant to provide a brief overview.  The nuances and intricacies of these laws can be quite confusing.  The issue researched was how these two laws affect information shared during a case management conference.  Specifically what information can be shared by therapists and practitioners during these types of meetings and whether there were any restrictions or constraints which may impede open discourse?  Understanding these laws will help to avoid inappropriate use of information and minimize potential negative collateral consequences of information sharing. While information sharing is optimal during a case management conference to ensure coordinated case plans for the youth and families who are served by multiple agencies to improve outcomes for these individuals, nevertheless there are restrictions in how and what confidential information can be disclosed. If there is improper disclosure, the individual and/or organization could face fines and penalties ranging from $500 to $50,000 for the first offense.  Unauthorized disclosure violates the individual’s due process rights. This summary assumes that the client is a youth; therefore, additional considerations are discussed involving the role and influence of parents and guardians.

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