Bullard-Plawecki and HIPAA apply to governmental entity employers
In Riopelle v. Zittel, the Court of Appeals referred to the express language of the statutes to confirm that the Bullard-Plawecki and HIPAA statutes apply to a Township employee, despite defenses of governmental immunity.
The Plaintiff sued his employer township, alleging defamation and invasion of privacy in addition to violations of the employee right to know act (Bullard-Plawecki) and 42 USC 1320d of HIPAA. While the Court dismissed many of the employee's claims, it upheld his right to enforce provisions of the latter two statutes against his employer's alleged violations. The employer had allegedly sent facsimile copies of his employment file and disciplinary notices to the Flint Journal.