ORS 426.155: Release of information about person held in custody pending commitment proceeding or while committed or recommitted.

(1) The provisions of this section apply to the release of information about a person who is held in custody either pending a commitment proceeding under ORS 426.070, 426.077, 426.140, 426.228, 426.232 or 426.233 or while committed or recommitted under ORS 426.005 to 426.390. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 179.495, 179.505 or 192.355 (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 426.005 to 426.390, a facility or nonhospital facility where a person is held shall establish procedures for releasing information as required under subsections (3) and (4) of this section. (3)(a) If a person described in subsection (1) of this section authorizes disclosure as provided in subsection (5) of this section, upon request of a member of the family of the person, or any other designee of the person, a facility or nonhospital facility where the person is held shall provide the family member or the designee with the following information: (A) The person’s diagnosis; (B) The person’s prognosis; (C) The medications prescribed for the person and the side effects of medications prescribed, if any; (D) The person’s progress; (E) Information about any civil commitment process, including the date, time and location of the person’s commitment hearing; and (F) Where and when the person may be visited. (b) If a request for information is made under this subsection and the person is unable to authorize disclosure as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the requester shall be provided notice of the presence of the person in any facility or nonhospital facility. Information shall not be provided under this paragraph if the licensed independent practitioner who is treating the person determines that it would not be in the person’s best interest to provide the information or if providing the information is prohibited by federal law. (4) Upon the admission of any person to a facility or nonhospital facility under ORS 426.005 to 426.390, the facility or nonhospital facility shall make reasonable attempts to notify the person’s next of kin, or any other designee of the person, of the person’s admission, unless the person requests that this information not be provided. The facility or nonhospital facility shall make reasonable attempts to notify the person’s next of kin, or any other designee of the person, of the person’s release, transfer, serious illness, injury or death upon request of the family member or designee, unless the person requests that this information not be provided. The person shall be advised by the facility or nonhospital facility that the person has the right to request that this information not be provided. (5) The person who is held in custody shall be notified by the facility or nonhospital facility that information about the person has been requested. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the consent of the person who is held is required for release of information under subsections (3) and (4) of this section. If, when initially informed of the request for information, the person is unable to give voluntary and informed consent to authorize the release of information, notation of the attempt shall be made in the person’s treatment record and daily efforts shall be made to secure the person’s consent or refusal of authorization. (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an individual eligible to receive information under subsection (3) of this section may not receive information unless the individual first agrees to make no further disclosure of the information. The agreement may be made orally. (7) A facility or nonhospital facility that releases information under subsection (3) or (4) of this section shall: (a) Notify the person who is held to whom, when and what information was released; and (b) Note in the medical record of the person who is held: (A) The basis for finding that the person gave voluntary and informed consent; (B) The oral or written consent of the person who is held; (C) To whom, when and what information was released; (D) The agreement to the requirements of subsection (6) of this section by the requester; and (E) Any determination made by the licensed independent practitioner under subsection (3)(b) of this section regarding the provision of notice of the presence of the person in any facility or nonhospital facility. (8) A facility or nonhospital facility, including the staff of such facilities and nonhospital facilities, that releases information under this section or rules adopted under ORS 426.236 may not be held civilly or criminally liable for damages caused or alleged to be caused by the release of information or the failure to release information as long as the release was done in good faith and in compliance with subsections (3) and (4) of this section or rules adopted under ORS 426.236. (9) The provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section do not limit the ability or obligation of facilities, nonhospital facilities, licensed independent practitioners, mental health care providers or licensed mental health professionals to provide information: (a) To other health care services providers, the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Health Authority or a local correctional facility when necessary or beneficial to the person’s treatment, as provided under ORS 179.505 (6); or (b) As otherwise allowed or required by state or federal law or by order of the court. [2001 c.481 §2; 2013 c.360 §34; 2015 c.461 §8; 2025 c.559 §18]