If law enforcement requests a delay of notice for a breach orally, how long can the delay be?

When law enforcement requests a delay of notice for a breach, the regulations state that this delay can be for a period of up to 30 days. This timeframe allows law enforcement sufficient time to conduct their investigation without compromising the integrity of the process, while also providing a reasonable duration before notice must be given to affected individuals.

This 30-day period is designed to balance the need for timely communication with individuals whose information may have been compromised and the necessity of law enforcement's investigatory processes. After this time, any further requests for delay would typically require justification and may not automatically be granted. It’s important for healthcare entities to be familiar with these timelines to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and to maintain transparency with their patients.