ORS 409.225
Confidentiality of child welfare records, files, papers and communications

  • when disclosure required

(1)

In the interest of family privacy and for the protection of children, families and other recipients of services, the Department of Human Services shall not disclose or use the contents of any child welfare records, files, papers or communications that contain any information about an individual child, family or other recipient of services for purposes other than those directly connected with the administration of child welfare laws or unless required or authorized by ORS 419A.255 (Maintenance) or 419B.035 (Confidentiality of records). The records, files, papers and communications are confidential and are not available for public inspection. General information, policy statements, statistical reports or similar compilations of data are not confidential unless such information is identified with an individual child, family or other recipient of services or protected by other provision of law.

(2)

Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose child welfare records:

(a)

About a recipient of services, to the recipient if the recipient is 18 years of age or older or is legally emancipated, unless prohibited by court order;

(b)

Regarding a specific individual if the individual gives written authorization to release confidential information;

(c)

Concerning a child receiving services on a voluntary basis, to the child’s parent or legal guardian;

(d)

To the juvenile court in proceedings regarding the child; and

(e)

Concerning a child who is or has been in the custody of the department, to the child’s parent or legal guardian except:

(A)

When the child objects; or

(B)

If disclosure would be contrary to the best interests of any child or could be harmful to the person caring for the child.

(3)

Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose child welfare records, if in the best interests of the child, to:

(a)

Treatment providers, foster parents, adoptive parents, school officials or other persons providing services to the child or family to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to provide services to the child or family; or

(b)

A person designated as a member of a sensitive review committee convened by the Director of Human Services when the purpose of the committee is to determine whether the department acted appropriately and to make recommendations to the department regarding policy and practice.

(4)

Any record disclosed under subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section shall be kept confidential by the person or entity to whom the record is disclosed and shall be used only for the purpose for which disclosure was made.

(5)

Unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, when an adult who is the subject of information made confidential by subsection (1) of this section publicly reveals or causes to be revealed any significant part of the confidential matter or information, the protections afforded by subsection (1) of this section are presumed voluntarily waived and confidential information about the person making or causing the public disclosure, not already disclosed but related to the information made public, may be disclosed if disclosure is in the best interests of the child or necessary to the administration of the child welfare laws.

(6)

Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose information related to the department’s activities and responsibilities in a case where child abuse or neglect has resulted in a child fatality or near fatality or where an adult has been charged with a crime related to child abuse or neglect.

(7)

Notwithstanding subsections (2), (3), (5) and (6) of this section, ORS 192.345 (Public records conditionally exempt from disclosure) (3) shall apply to investigatory information compiled for criminal law purposes that may be in the possession of the department.

(8)

As used in this section, “adult” means a person who is 18 years of age or older. [1997 c.415 §1; 2001 c.900 §69]

Source: Section 409.225 — Confidentiality of child welfare records, files, papers and communications; when disclosure required, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors409.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Reports and other material relating to child’s history and prognosis within meaning of ORS 419A.255 are privileged against discovery under ORCP 36, whereas other reports and material are confidential but not privileged. Kahn v. Pony Express Courier Corp., 173 Or App 127, 20 P3d 837 (2001), Sup Ct review denied

409.010
Department of Human Services
409.025
Definitions for 409.025 and 409.027
409.027
Abuse and neglect reports
409.040
Federal law supersedes state law
409.050
Rules
409.055
Copies of rules to be available in local offices
409.060
Department of Human Services Account
409.065
Department of Human Services Donated Fund Account
409.070
Department of Human Services Special Checking Account
409.075
Volunteer Emergency Services Fund
409.080
Combination or elimination of accounts
409.093
Policy on incorporation of family support policies
409.096
Plan for incorporating family support consultants
409.100
Director
409.110
Authority of director
409.120
Delegation of authority of director
409.130
Deputy director
409.140
Assistant director as appointing authority
409.150
Deputy director and assistant directors in unclassified service
409.160
Information from personnel within department
409.161
Report to Legislative Assembly on staffing and workload
409.162
Identifying and implementing workload efficiencies
409.180
Consolidation of internal audit units
409.185
Standards and procedures for child protective services
409.192
Policy on internal review of department decisions
409.194
Establishment of review process
409.220
Services relating to prevention, control and treatment of incest and sexual abuse
409.225
Confidentiality of child welfare records, files, papers and communications
409.230
Disclosure of information in department reports and other materials
409.240
Payment of expenses
409.250
Revolving fund
409.260
Services to Children and Families Account
409.270
Definitions for ORS 409.273 to 409.285
409.273
Funding of sexual assault crisis centers and crisis lines
409.276
Standards for sexual assault crisis centers
409.279
Application for grants
409.282
Services provided by sexual assault crisis centers and crisis lines
409.285
Sexual Assault Victims Fund
409.290
Definitions for ORS 409.290 to 409.300
409.292
Funding of programs relating to family, domestic and teen dating violence
409.294
Standards for shelter homes and safe houses
409.296
Application for grants
409.298
Services provided by shelter homes, safe houses and crisis lines
409.300
Domestic Violence Fund
409.304
Limitation on administrative expenses
409.360
Authorization to establish volunteer program in department
409.450
Definitions for ORS 409.450 to 409.478
409.454
Legislative findings on respite care
409.458
Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program established in department
409.462
Community programs
409.466
Community program duties
409.470
Description of respite care services
409.474
Rules
409.478
Use of funds appropriated to program
409.610
Legislative goal
409.720
Emergency planning
409.742
Disclosure of information pertaining to cremated or reduced remains
409.747
Setoff of liquidated debts
409.750
State goal to eliminate or alleviate poverty
409.800
Definitions
409.801
Long term care facility assessment
409.802
Rate of assessment
409.803
Oregon Veterans’ Home exempt from assessment
409.804
Assessment subject to use of specified reimbursement methodology
409.805
Requirement to maintain records
409.810
Claim for refund
409.815
Long Term Care Facility Quality Assurance Fund established
409.816
Assessments to be deposited to Long Term Care Quality Assurance Fund
409.900
Civil penalties for failure to report
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