Section 37-4-125. Treatment of clinical records; scope of privileged communications; liability for disclosure

   (a) A clinical record for each client shall be maintained. Authorized release of the record shall include but not be limited to examination of the original record, copies of all or any portion of the record, or disclosure of information from the record, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state. Such examination shall be conducted on hospital premises at reasonable times determined by the facility. The clinical record shall not be a public record and no part of it shall be released except:

   (1) When the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of the facility where the record is kept deems it essential for continued habilitation, a copy of the record or parts thereof may be released to persons in charge of a client's habilitation when and as necessary for the habilitation of the client;

   (2) A copy of the record may be released to any person or entity designated in writing by the client or, if appropriate, the parent of a minor, the legal guardian of an adult or minor, or a person to whom legal custody of a minor client has been given by order of a court;

   (2.1) A copy of the record of a deceased client or deceased former client may be released to or in response to a valid subpoena of a coroner or medical examiner under Chapter 16 of Title 45, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;

   (3) When the habilitation plan of the client involves transfer of that client to another facility or involves the receipt of community services by the client, a copy of the record may be released to that facility or to that entity rendering such community services;

   (4) A copy of the record or any part thereof may be disclosed to any employee or staff member of the facility when it is necessary for the proper habilitation of the client;

   (5) A copy of the record shall be released to the client's attorney if the attorney so requests and the client, or the client's legal guardian, consents to the release;

   (6) In a bona fide medical emergency, as determined by a physician treating the client, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator may release a copy of the record to the treating physician;

   (7) At the request of the client, the client's legal guardian, or the client's attorney, the record shall be produced by the entity having custody thereof at any hearing held under this chapter;

   (8) A copy of the record shall be produced in response to a valid subpoena or order of any court of competent jurisdiction, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;

   (8.1) A copy of the record may be released to the legal representative of a deceased client's estate, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;

   (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of a criminal investigation may be informed as to whether a person is or has been a client in a state facility, as well as the client's current address, if known;

   (10) A copy of the client's clinical record may be released under the conditions and for the uses and purposes set forth in Code Section 31-7-6; and

   (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of investigating the commission of a crime on the premises of a facility covered by this chapter or against facility personnel or a threat to commit such a crime may be informed as to the circumstances of the incident, including whether the individual allegedly committing or threatening to commit a crime is or has been a client in the facility, and the name, address, and last known whereabouts of any alleged client perpetrator.

(b) In connection with any hearing held under this chapter, any physician, including any psychiatrist, or any psychologist who is treating or who has treated the client shall be authorized to give evidence as to any matter concerning the client, including evidence as to communications otherwise privileged under Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.

(c) Any disclosure authorized by this Code section or any unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged client information or communications shall not in any way abridge or destroy the confidential or privileged character thereof, except for the purpose for which such authorized disclosure is made. Any person making a disclosure authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall not be liable to the client or any other person, notwithstanding any contrary provision of Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.

Code 1933, § 88-2503.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826, § 1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 734, § 3; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059, § 26; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072, § 4; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324, § 1-19; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 54/HB 24.