Wash. Rev. Code § 70.24.022

Interviews, examination, counseling, or treatment of infected persons or persons believed to be infected — Dissemination of false information — Penalty

The state board of health must create rules that authorize public health officers and their agents to interview individuals that have or are “reasonably” suspected to have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Officers must conduct these interviews in order to investigate the “source and spread” of an STD and as a means to order an individual to receive an examination, treatment, or counseling.

Information obtained from a “contact investigation” is confidential. Individuals that reveal the names of their sexual partners in relation to a contact investigation are immune from civil liability arising from the revelation unless the revelation was “made with a knowing or reckless disregard for the truth.”

The dissemination of false STD information or an STD report, either maliciously or with knowledge, constitutes a gross misdemeanor.