ELARC - Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled Inc.
05/15/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2025 09:11
DDS Directive: Access to Client Information
On May 14, 2025, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) released a directive regarding Access to Client Information READ THE COMPLETE DIRECTIVE HERE
In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4639.6 and federal and state privacy laws, the directive is issued to protect the welfare and privacy rights of individuals served and their families (collectively, "clients") when regional centers and service providers are approached by a person or an entity (collectively, "party") seeking access to records or requesting information regarding clients, or access to a physical location (collectively, "access") who is not otherwise authorized by law to have such access. Regional centers and service providers are required to implement this directive at all times and at private facilities or public locations, including while providing services to clients. They also are required to make their employees aware of the legal requirements and procedures outlined in this letter.
Regional centers and service providers are legally required to protect the information of all clients who receive services. Information may be shared only when written authorization is obtained from the clients or their authorized or legal representative(s), a federal or state law requires that information to be disclosed, or under the limited circumstances listed in the Department's Notice of Privacy Practices: DS-5310 Consumer Notice of Privacy Practices 20230905.docx. Regional centers and service providers may review information about privacy rights and the laws in the Privacy Protections Fact Sheet and the Privacy Bulletin shared in DDS' newsletter.
Prior to granting access, regional centers and service providers first must ask the requesting party for their name, agency or organization, identification (e.g., badge number or business card), purpose of the request for access, and any document or information the requesting party claims entitles them to access. Regional centers and service providers must obtain legal review before granting access in response to any non-routine requests. If a service provider does not have access to legal counsel, management of the service provider must review the request for access before granting access.
ELARC - Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled Inc. published this content on May 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 15, 2025 at 15:11 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io