All information concerning members, former members, our staff, volunteers, strategies, plans, activities, SORNA registry databases, and financial data, and business records of the Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws and PARSOL Advocates organizations (collectively “PARSOL”) is confidential. “Confidential” means that you are free to talk about PARSOL and about your program and your position, but you are not permitted to disclose members’ names or talk about them in ways that will make their identity known. No information may be released without appropriate authorization. This is a basic component of member care and business ethics. The board of directors, staff and our members rely on paid and volunteer staff to conform to this rule of confidentiality.
PARSOL expects you to respect the privacy of members and to maintain their personal and financial information as confidential. All records dealing with specific members must be treated as confidential. General information, policy statements or statistical material that is not identified with any individual or family is not classified as confidential. Staff members and volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information relating to other Staff members and volunteers and volunteers, in addition to members.
Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of your employment, or other corrective action. This policy is intended to protect you as well as PARSOL because in extreme cases, violations of this policy also may result in personal liability.
Rationale
Confidentiality is the preservation of privileged information. By necessity personal and private information is disclosed in a professional working relationship. Part of what you learn is necessary to provide services to the applicant or member; other information is shared within the development of a helping, trusting relationship. Therefore, most information gained about individual members through an assignment is confidential in terms of the law, and disclosure could make you legally liable. Disclosure could also damage your relationship with the member and make it difficult to help the person.
Before you begin your assignment as a staff member/volunteer, you should be aware of the laws and penalties for breaching confidentiality. Although the agency is liable for your acts within the scope of your duty, giving information to an unauthorized person could result in the agency’s refusal to support you in the event of legal action. Violation of the state statutes regarding confidentiality of records is punishable upon conviction by fines or by imprisonment or by both.
Certification
I have read PARSOL’s policy on confidentiality and the Statement of Confidentiality presented above. I agree to abide by the requirements of the policy and inform my supervisor immediately if I believe any violation (unintentional or otherwise) of the policy has occurred. I understand that violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of my service with PARSOL.