Chapter 12

Exchange of Information under Title 25

Section 1. Authority.

This Chapter is promulgated by the Department of Health ("the Department") pursuant to Hospitalization of Mentally Ill Persons ("the Act") codified at Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 25-10-101 through -127 and the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act at Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 16-3-101 through -115.

Section 2. Purpose and Applicability.

(a) These rules have been adopted to establish and implement the procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the treatment of patients court-ordered to emergency detention, involuntary hospitalization, or Directed Outpatient Commitment as provided in Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 25-10-101 through -127.

Section 3. Exchange of Patient Information under Title 25

(a) When an individual is determined mentally ill under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 25-10-109 through -110.1, protected health information regarding the individual's condition, diagnoses, history, and detention or hospitalization may be exchanged between relevant healthcare providers, treatment providers, the county attorney, the examiner, any gatekeeper designated by the Department, and the court as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Any exchange of protected health information under the Act shall comply with requirements under all applicable state and federal law.

Section 4. Implementation of Chapter.

(a) The order in which the provisions of this Chapter appear is not to be construed to mean that any provision is more or less important than any other provision.

(b) The text of this Chapter shall control the titles of its various provisions.

Section 5. Superseding Effect.

When promulgated, this Chapter supersedes all prior rules or policy statements issued by the Department, including manuals or bulletins, which are inconsistent with this Chapter.

Section 6. Severability.

If any portion of this Chapter is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.