Office of General Counsel

Health Services and Public Records Unit

The Health Services/Public Records unit provides legal support to the Department’s HIPAA Privacy Officer and assists the Privacy Officer with the administrative functions and record keeping relating to the privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It also assists with training and advising department staff concerning the HIPAA privacy requirements and responding to HIPAA related grievances, complaints and violations. The unit provides legal advice and assistance to the Office of Health Services regarding the delivery of medical, mental and dental health care to inmates and issues relating to the Corrections Mental Health Act and reviews and assists with responding to inmate grievances of a medical nature. It also serves as the department’s legal liaison with the Correctional Medical Authority and assists in responding to issues brought to the Department’s attention by the Correctional Medical Authority. The unit coordinates the Department’s Corrections Mental Health Institution initial placement hearings (which are similar to civilian Baker Act proceedings), and provides legal representation on behalf of the department at involuntary medication hearings and continued placement hearings in circuit court and before the Division of Administrative Hearings, respectively. Furthermore, the unit coordinates staff responses to public records requests, provides legal advice and assistance to staff and the Office of Public Affairs concerning public records requests, and serves as the department’s liaison with the Governor’s Office of Open Government.