Reporting guidelines set by the Department of Defense require Employee Assistance Programs to report any adverse information on employees holding DOD security clearances, while legislative requirements mandate EAPs to withhold such information under guidelines governing confidentiality of patient information. DOD has thus extended its oversight authority, previously limited to classified environments. The author contends that the issue must be resolved through review of existing law prior to the writing and implementation of new legislation. In addition, organizations should begin an "interactive interpretation" in which both parties focus on a common goal as a determinant of selecting a mutually agreeable solution.