Applying the concepts of confidentiality and privilege to the professional services provided by social workers, this law note covers federal health privacy laws and regulations, state law standards, and practitioners' ethical obligations in the following areas: confidentiality requirements (including scope of confidentiality and obtaining client consent), situations in which disclosure of confidential information is required or permitted (including HIPAA exceptions to confidentiality and instances in which clients are a danger to themselves or others), and privilege and the release of client information in legal proceedings.

"Carol Gorenberg provided research and writing for the first edition of this publication in 1997"--Title page verso.

Introduction -- Confidentiality requirements. Scope of confidentiality ; Obtaining client consent -- Situations requiring or permitting disclosure of a patient's confidential information. HIPAA exceptions to confidentiality ; Duty to control or warn about a dangerous patient ; Past criminal acts ; Child abuse or neglect ; Preventing harm to the client ; HIV reporting ; Alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs receiving federal funds -- Privilege and the release of client information in legal proceedings. Federal treatment of privilege ; "Dangerous patient exception" ; State treatment of privilege -- Conclusion -- Endnotes -- Appendix A : NASW code of ethics : 1.07 privacy and confidentiality -- Appendix B : Review of SAMHSA's frequently asked questions : applying the substance abuse confidentiality regulations to health information exchange -- Appendix C : Social worker-client privilege and confidentiality laws -- Appendix D : Bibliography.