§ 122C-17. (This Article has a contingent effective date - see note) State/Local Consumer Advocate; confidentiality.
§ 122C‑17. (This Articlehas a contingent effective date see note) State/Local Consumer Advocate;confidentiality.
(a) Except as requiredby law, a Consumer Advocate shall not disclose the following:
(1) Any confidential orprivileged information obtained pursuant to G.S. 122C‑15 unless theaffected individual authorizes disclosure in writing; or
(2) The name of anyonewho has furnished information to a Consumer Advocate unless the individualauthorizes disclosure in writing.
(b) Violation of thissection is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine not to exceed fivehundred dollars ($500.00).
(c) All confidential orprivileged information obtained under this section and the names of personsproviding information to a Consumer Advocate are exempt from disclosurepursuant to Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. Access to substance abuserecords and redisclosure of protected information shall be in compliance withfederal confidentiality laws protecting medical records. (2001‑437, s. 2; 2002‑126,s. 10.30; 2003‑284, s. 10.10; 2005‑276, s. 10.27.)