This section lists when chiropractic confidentiality rules do not apply and requires the board to protect patient identity in certain investigations.
Sec. 201.403. EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE. (a) Section 201.402 does not apply in a court or administrative proceeding: (1) brought by a patient against a chiropractor, including: (A) a malpractice proceeding; and (B) any criminal or license revocation proceeding in which the patient is a complaining witness and disclosure is relevant to the claims or defense of the chiropractor; (2) in which the patient or a person authorized to act on the patient's behalf submits a written consent to the release of confidential information, as provided by Section 201.405; (3) brought to substantiate and collect on a claim for chiropractic services rendered to the patient; (4) brought by the patient or a person on the patient's behalf who is attempting to recover monetary damages for any physical or mental condition, including death of the patient; (5) brought in connection with a disciplinary investigation of a chiropractor under this chapter, except as provided by Subsection (b); (6) brought in connection with a criminal investigation of a chiropractor if the board is participating or assisting in the investigation or proceeding by providing certain records obtained from the chiropractor, except as provided by Subsection (c); and (7) brought in connection with a criminal prosecution in which the patient is a victim, witness, or defendant except as provided by Subsection (d). (b) The board shall protect the identity of any patient whose chiropractic records are examined in connection with an investigation or proceeding described by Subsection (a)(5), excluding patients described by Subsection (a)(1) and patients who have submitted written consent to the release of their chiropractic records as provided by Section 201.405. (c) The board shall protect the identity of any patient whose records are provided in connection with an investigation or proceeding described by Subsection (a)(6), excluding patients described by Subsection (a)(1) and patients who have submitted written consent to the release of their chiropractic records as provided by Section 201.405. The board does not authorize the release of any confidential information for the purpose of instigating or substantiating criminal charges against a patient. (d) In a proceeding described by Subsection (a)(7), records or communications are not discoverable until the court in which the prosecution is pending makes an in camera determination of relevancy. A determination of relevancy by a court under this subsection is not a determination of the admissibility of any record or communication. (e) Information is discoverable in a court or administrative proceeding in this state if the court or administrative body has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the proceeding. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.