§ 36-33-56 — Privileged information--Exceptions.

No licensee or an employee of a licensee may disclose information acquired from any person consulting the licensee in a professional capacity that was necessary to render services in a professional capacity, except: (1) If mandated by law or authorized under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended through January 1, 2020; (2) If the information is necessary to prevent or mitigate a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, and the disclosure is made to a person reasonably able to prevent or mitigate the threat, including the target of the threat; (3) If the licensed marriage and family therapist is a party defendant to a civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from the therapist's professional capacity, in which case any waiver of the privilege accorded by this section is limited to that action; (4) If the client is a defendant in a criminal proceeding and the use of the privilege would violate the defendant's right to a compulsory process or right to present testimony and evidence; (5) With the written consent of the person or, in the case of the person's death or disability, with the written consent of the person's personal representative, other person authorized to sue, or the beneficiary of an insurance policy on the person's life, health, or physical condition. If more than one person in a family is receiving therapy from the marriage and family therapist, each family member shall agree to the waiver for the marriage and family therapist to disclose information received from any family member; (6) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges against the licensee; or (7) If there is a duty to warn under other limited circumstances set forth in this chapter.

Legislative History

SL 2020, ch 166, § 23.