G.S. 7B-1413

This statute governs access to records by The state Child Fatality Prevention Team and community child protection or child fatality prevention teams and the relatively strict confidentiality rules that apply to those records. 
For the purpose of carrying out their legal responsibilities with respect to child protection and investigation of child fatalities, the state child fatality task force, the state child fatality prevention team, and community child protection and child fatality prevention teams may obtain medical records, hospital records, and other records (including police investigative records, medical examiner records, health records, mental health records, and social services records other than those identifying a person who reported suspected child abuse or neglect) maintained by state, county, or local agencies.
In general, information that was confidential before it was provided to the team remains confidential. The information is not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any proceedings. It may be disclosed only as necessary to carry out the purpose of the team.
Also, the team meetings are not subject to the state’s open meetings law. Persons who attend state or community team meetings generally may not testify about what transpired at a team meeting or information presented at a meeting.
Members of community teams and participants at community team meetings must sign a statement acknowledging applicable confidentiality requirements and the potential civil and criminal consequences of disclosing confidential information.

Topics: 
Children's Services

Type:
State statute



Cross references: