(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 5328 of this code, Section 3025 of the Family Code, or paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 56.11 of the Civil Code, a psychotherapist who knows that a minor has been removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or guardian pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 300) to Article 10 (commencing with Section 360), inclusive, of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 shall not release mental health records of the minor patient and shall not disclose mental health information about that minor patient based upon an authorization to release those records or the information signed by the minor’s parent or guardian. This restriction shall not apply if the juvenile court has issued an order authorizing the parent or guardian to sign an authorization for the release of the records or information after finding that such an order would not be detrimental to the minor patient.
(2) Notwithstanding Section 5328 of this code or Section 3025 of the Family Code, a psychotherapist who knows that a minor has been removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or guardian pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 300) to Article 10 (commencing with Section 360), inclusive, of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 shall not allow the parent or guardian to inspect or obtain copies of mental health records of the minor patient. This restriction shall not apply if the juvenile court has issued an order authorizing the parent or guardian to inspect or obtain copies of the mental health records of the minor patient after finding that such an order would not be detrimental to the minor patient.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Mental health records” means mental health records as defined by subdivision (b) of Section 123105 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) “Psychotherapist” means a provider of health care as defined in Section 1010 of the Evidence Code.
(c) (1) When the juvenile court has issued an order described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the parent or guardian seeking the release of the minor’s mental health records or information about the minor shall present a copy of the court order to the psychotherapist before any records or information may be released pursuant to the signed authorization.
(2) When the juvenile court has issued an order described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the parent or guardian seeking to inspect or obtain copies of the mental health records of the minor patient shall present a copy of the court order to the psychotherapist and shall comply with subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 123110 of the Health and Safety Code before the parent or guardian is allowed to inspect or obtain copies of the mental health records of the minor patient.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent or limit a psychotherapist’s authority under subdivision (a) of Section 123115 of the Health and Safety Code to deny a parent’s or guardian’s written request to inspect or obtain copies of the minor patient’s mental health records, notwithstanding the fact that the juvenile court has issued an order authorizing the parent or guardian to sign an authorization for the release of the mental health records or information about that minor patient, or to inspect or obtain copies of the minor patient’s health records. Liability for a psychotherapist’s decision not to release records, not to disclose information about the minor patient, or not to allow the parent or guardian to inspect or obtain copies of the mental health records pursuant to the authority of subdivision (a) of Section 123115 of the Health and Safety Code shall be governed by that section.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose upon a psychotherapist a duty to inquire or investigate whether a child has been removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or guardian pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 300) to Article 10 (commencing with Section 360), inclusive, of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 when a parent or guardian presents the minor’s psychotherapist with an order authorizing the parent or guardian to sign an authorization for the release of information or the mental health records regarding the minor patient or authorizing the parent or guardian to inspect or obtain copies of the mental health records of the minor patient.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 76, Sec. 209. (AB 383) Effective January 1, 2014.)