§ 22 §4015 — Privileged or confidential communications

The husband-wife and physician and psychotherapist-patient privileges under the Maine Rules of Evidence and the confidential quality of communication under Title 16, section 53‑B; Title 20‑A, sections 4008 and 6001, to the extent allowed by applicable federal law; Title 24‑A, section 4224; Title 32, sections 7005 and 18393; and Title 34‑B, section 1207, are abrogated in relation to required reporting, cooperating with the department or a guardian ad litem in an investigation or other child protective activity or giving evidence in a child protection proceeding. Information released to the department pursuant to this section must be kept confidential and may not be disclosed by the department except as provided in section 4008.
Statements made to a licensed mental health professional in the course of counseling, therapy or evaluation where the privilege is abrogated under this section may not be used against the client in a criminal proceeding. Nothing in this section may limit any responsibilities of the professional pursuant to this Act.

Legislative History

PL 1979, c. 733, §18 (NEW). PL 1981, c. 211, §1 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 781, §2 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 495, §21 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 696, §22 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 429, §7 (AMD).