An employer providing home and community services, including facilities licensed under chapters 18.51, 18.20, 70.97, and 70.128 RCW, an employer of a program operating under RCW 71A.12.040(10), a consumer directed employer, or an in-home services agency employer licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW, who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective home and community services employer, nursing home employer, consumer directed employer, or in-home services agency employer, is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil and criminal liability for such disclosure or its consequences if the disclosed information relates to:
(1) The employee's ability to perform his or her job;(2) the diligence, skill, or reliability with which the employee carried out the duties of his or her job; or(3) any illegal or wrongful act committed by the employee when related to his or her ability to care for a vulnerable adult. For purposes of this section, the presumption of good faith may only be rebutted upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the employer was knowingly false or made with reckless disregard for the truth of the information disclosed. If the employee successfully rebuts the presumption of good faith standard in a court of competent jurisdiction, as the prevailing party, the employee shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees against the employer. Nothing in this section shall affect or limit any other state, federal, or constitutional right otherwise available.Amended by 2018 c 278,§ 15, eff. 6/7/2018.Findings-Intent- 2018 c 278 : See note following RCW 74.39A.500.