(a) “Impaired professional” means a regulated social worker who is unable to practice with professional skill and safety by reason of habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances that impair ability or by reason of a mental health disorder.
(b) “Prohibited conduct” has the meaning given that term in ORS 676.150.
(2) Unless state or federal laws relating to confidentiality or the protection of health information prohibit disclosure, a regulated social worker shall report to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers any information the regulated social worker has that appears to show that a regulated social worker is or may be an impaired professional, or may have engaged in unprofessional conduct according to the guidelines of the code of ethics, to the extent that disclosure does not conflict with the requirements of ORS 675.580.
(3) A regulated social worker shall report any prohibited conduct in the manner provided in ORS 676.150.
(4) Notwithstanding ORS 676.175, any information that the board obtains pursuant to subsection (2) of this section is confidential and may not be disclosed except as provided by the board by rule.
(5) A person who reports or provides information to the board under subsection (2) of this section in good faith is not subject to an action for civil damages as a result of reporting or providing information to the board. [1989 c.721 §40; 1997 c.381 §6; 1997 c.791 §15a; 2007 c.70 §299; 2009 c.442 §18; 2009 c.536 §38; 2009 c.697 §19; 2009 c.756 §§89a,89b; 2025 c.499 §9]