§ 8-53.3. Communications between psychologist and client or patient. - North Carolina Statutes

§8‑53.3.  Communications between psychologist and client or patient.

No person, duly authorized asa licensed psychologist or licensed psychological associate, nor any of his orher employees or associates, shall be required to disclose any information whichhe or she may have acquired in the practice of psychology and which informationwas necessary to enable him or her to practice psychology. Any resident orpresiding judge in the district in which the action is pending may, subject toG.S. 8‑53.6, compel disclosure, either at the trial or prior thereto, ifin his or her opinion disclosure is necessary to a proper administration ofjustice. If the case is in district court the judge shall be a district courtjudge, and if the case is in superior court the judge shall be a superior courtjudge.

Notwithstanding the provisionsof this section, the psychologist‑client or patient privilege shall notbe grounds for failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect to theappropriate county department of social services, or for failure to report adisabled adult suspected to be in need of protective services to theappropriate county department of social services. Notwithstanding theprovisions of this section, the psychologist‑client or patient privilegeshall not be grounds for excluding evidence regarding the abuse or neglect of achild, or an illness of or injuries to a child, or the cause thereof, or forexcluding evidence regarding the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabledadult, or an illness of or injuries to a disabled adult, or the cause thereof,in any judicial proceeding related to a report pursuant to the Child AbuseReporting Law, Article 3 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes, or to theProtection of the Abused, Neglected, or Exploited Disabled Adult Act, Article 6of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes. (1967, c. 910, s. 18; 1983,c. 410, ss. 3, 7; 1987, c. 323, s. 2; 1993, c. 375, s. 2; c. 553, s. 78; 1998‑202,s. 13(c).)