2.1.29 Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information

Purpose:

The University established this Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Policy pursuant to the 2015 Illinois Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act.  The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for compliance with this Act while protecting private mental health information.

Policy

1. Illinois State University shall, at or near the time that an incoming student enrolls at the University, provide each student the opportunity to authorize in writing the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person.
2. If a physician, clinical psychologist or qualified examiner who is employed by the University makes a determination that the student poses a clear danger to himself, herself, or others, the physician, clinical psychologist or qualified examiner shall, within 24 hours, attempt to contact the designated person and notify the designated person that a determination has been made that the student poses a clear, imminent danger to himself, herself or others.

Procedure

1. Each semester, the University will provide students with an opportunity to update all of their emergency contact, including the private mental health contact.
2. The records stored of these transactions will be considered FERPA records for purposes of confidentiality and disclosure.
3. Required employees will have access to the student information system and to the data entered by students in this system.
4. The clinician making the determination, or the supervisor of said clinician, will be responsible for making any legally necessary notifications under this policy.
5. If the designated person  requests mental health information in regards to the student other than that allowed by the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act, the designated person will be informed that the student must allow this disclosure by signing a Release of Information Authorization form to permit disclosure pursuant to (740 ILCS 110) Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.
6. All notifications made under this law will be documented in the respective clinical records system of the clinician's department.