Section 49-5-44. Penalties for unauthorized access to records; use of records in public and criminal proceedings

   (a) Any person who authorizes or permits any person or agency not listed in Code Section 49-5-41 to have access to such records concerning reports of child abuse declared confidential by Code Section 49-5-40 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Any person who knowingly and under false pretense obtains or attempts to obtain records or reports of child abuse declared confidential by Code Section 49-5-40 or information contained therein except as authorized in this article or Code Section 19-7-5 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c) Records made confidential by Code Section 49-5-40 and information obtained from such records may not be made a part of any record which is open to the public except that a district attorney may use and make public that record or information in the course of any criminal prosecution for any offense which constitutes or results from child abuse.

Ga. L. 1975, p. 1135, § 3; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1778, § 3.