§ 5-39.1-4. Social worker privilege — Applicability of chapter.
(a) No licensee under this chapter or an employee of a licensee may disclose any information
acquired from clients or persons consulting with the licensee to render professional
services except:
(1) With the written consent of the person(s) or, in the case of death or disability,
of the individual's personal representative, or person authorized to sue, or the beneficiary
of an insurance policy on an individual's life, health, or physical conditions;
(2) When there is a clear and present danger to the safety of the patient or client or
to other individuals;
(3) When a person is a minor under the laws of this state and the information acquired
by the licensee involves abuse of the minor, the licensee is required to report this
pursuant to § 40-11-3 and may be required to testify fully in an examination, trial, or other proceeding
in which the commission of this crime is the subject of inquiry;
(4) When the person licensed or certified under this chapter is a party defendant to a
civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a complaint filed by the patient
or client, in which case the waiver shall be limited to that action;
(5) When the licensee is called upon to testify in court or administrative hearings concerning
the potential for abuse or neglect in foster and adoptive placements; or
(6) When the licensee is collaborating or consulting with an administrative superior on
behalf of the client.
(b) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following individuals:
(1) Qualified members of other professions or occupations engaging in practices similar
in nature to clinical social work; provided, that they are authorized by the laws
of this state to engage in similar practices, do not represent themselves as a "licensed
clinical social worker� or "licensed independent clinical social worker�, and do not
characterize their practices as clinical social work;
(2) Students engaged in doctorate- or master's-level study in a school of social work
accredited by the council on social work education; provided, that the students are
practicing as part of a supervised course of study and designated by such titles as
"social-work intern�, "social-work trainee�, "social-work student�, or others clearly
indicating training status;
(3) State employees; or
(4) Individuals who have attained a masters of social work from an accredited college
or university within the last eighteen (18) months as long as that individual meets
all of the following conditions:
(i) The individual is authorized to take the examination required pursuant to regulations
promulgated by the department, and has not previously failed that examination more
than once;
(ii) The individual performs all such social work services under the direct personal supervision
of a person who holds a valid Rhode Island license as a licensed independent clinical
social worker pursuant to § 5-39.1-8;
(iii) The individual is designated or identified as "social-work intern�, "social-work trainee�,
or other clearly indicating training status; and
(iv) The individual does not hold themselves out to the public as any title or description
that states or implies that the individual is licensed to practice social work in
Rhode Island.