Substance Use Disorder Records Confidentiality: HHS Updates to Part 2 Regulations; February 2026 Compliance Deadline
Aligning Part 2 More Closely With HIPAA, Revised Patient Consent Requirements, New Enforcement Authorities and Penalties

Course Details
- smart_display Format
Live Online with Live Q&A
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
Intermediate
- work Practice Area
Health
- event Date
Thursday, June 5, 2025
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
-
This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
This CLE webinar will provide an in-depth look at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) rule that overhauled the federal Part 2 regulations on the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) patient records and what counsel and their clients should be doing now to come into compliance by Feb. 16, 2026. The panel will examine the extensive modifications that aligned Part 2 requirements more closely with HIPAA and will discuss the impact on Part 2 programs and other healthcare providers, including those who are not regulated by HIPAA as covered entities.
Faculty

Ms. Pitman advises healthcare systems and providers and healthcare information technology (IT) businesses when navigating healthcare privacy and cybersecurity regulations, other healthcare regulations, and government reimbursement program matters. Her experience includes the development and ongoing management of comprehensive HIPAA compliance programs, including drafting and negotiating business associate agreements, policies and training. When a data breach or other privacy regulatory violation occurs, Ms. Pitman guides her clients through the process for responding to the breach and any subsequent federal or state government investigations. She also provides advice to clients related to the frequent changes associated with the many federal healthcare payment programs.

Mr. Williams is experienced in assisting and advising clients with state and federal healthcare regulatory issues including compliance, HIPAA, and data privacy. His specific work experience includes HIPAA gap analysis and compliance plan; analysis of privacy-related regulatory questions for a variety of healthcare entities; assisting long-term care clients with state licensure and Medicare/Medicaid applications, and residency and admission contracts; regulatory advice and counsel regarding healthcare regulation; assisting clients with responding to data breaches; assisting clients with pharmacy, healthcare clinic, healthcare clinic establishment and other licensure applications; and assisting clients with various local healthcare permits, including biomedical waste, group care home and food sanitation permits. Mr. Williams also has experience assisting clients from nonprofit corporations and religious institutions in obtaining IRS §501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, state tax-exempt status and charitable solicitation registration.
Description
Although it's been a year since HHS finalized its long-awaited rule updating the federal SUD patient records regulations at 42 CFR Part 2 to more closely align with HIPAA requirements, counsel and their healthcare provider clients should understand what the final rule requires and what they should be doing now to meet the compliance deadline of Feb. 16, 2026.
Key changes in the final rule included: (1) changes to patient consent requirements for uses, disclosures, and redisclosures of SUD records; (2) alignment of certain patient rights and notice requirements under Part 2 with those under HIPAA; (3) alignment of Part 2 penalties with civil and criminal enforcement authorities that also apply to HIPAA violations; (4) application of the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule to Part 2 programs with respect to breaches of unsecured SUD records; and (5) the addition of many definitions borrowed in large part from HIPAA definitions and new definitions unique to the final rule including that of SUD counseling notes.
Given the expansive scope of the final rule, counsel and their affected clients should be preparing for implementation now including evaluating what programs may be subject to Part 2 and the final rule, updating consent policies and forms, updating patient notices, and ensuring that health information management systems are compliant.
Listen as our expert panel provides an in-depth look at HHS' final rule governing Part 2 SUD patient records confidentiality and offers best practices for preparing for compliance.
Outline
I. Introduction: rule history
II. HHS final rule
A. Patient consent
B. Patient rights and notice
C. Other uses and disclosures
D. Segregation of Part 2 data
E. New definitions
F. Safe harbor for investigative agencies
G. Penalties and enforcement
H. Breach notification
I. Patient complaints
J. Additional considerations
III. Practitioner takeaways: assisting clients to prepare for compliance
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key considerations:
- How does the final rule align Part 2 SUD patient records confidentiality requirements more closely with HIPAA?
- What impact will the final rule have on Part 2 programs' current consent and notice documents? On information management?
- What should counsel and clients be doing now to prepare for the final rule's implementation?
Unlimited access to CLE courses
- CLE Live Webinars
- CLE On Demand Webinars
- All CLE Course Materials
Unlimited access to CPE courses
- CPE Live Webinars
- CPE On Demand Webinars
- All CPE Course Materials
Unlimited access to all our courses including:
- CLE Live Webinars
- CPE On Demand Webinars
- Professional Skills
Related Courses

340B Discount Drug Program: Inflation Reduction Act, Reimbursement Challenges, Contract Pharmacy Restrictions, and More
Friday, April 11, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

Stark Law, AKS, and Healthcare M&A: Transactional Considerations, Safe Harbors and Exceptions, Recent Enforcement Action
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
Recommended Resources
Navigating Modern Legal Challenges: A Comprehensive Guide
- Business & Professional Skills
- Career Advancement