Section 30-6-8

Disclosure of information.

Information received by the office, the circuit, any district attorney or his or her employees, or by authorized persons employed by or volunteering services to a facility, through files, reports, inspection, or otherwise, shall be deemed confidential information, except as otherwise herein provided, and shall not be disclosed publicly in such a manner as to identify individuals or facilities. Oral communications between a domestic violence victim and an advocate and written reports and records concerning the victim may not be disclosed without the written consent of the victim. This privilege does not relieve a person from any duty imposed pursuant to Section 26-14-1 or Section 38-9-2. A victim or advocate may not claim this privilege when providing evidence in proceedings concerning child abuse, but may claim this privilege in all other proceedings, both criminal and civil. This privilege expires upon the death of the victim. Each facility, with the approval of the office, shall establish its own rules, regulations, and policies for the performance of the responsibilities charged to it in this chapter. The office shall ensure that the information obtained under authority of this chapter shall be restricted to the items germane to the implementation thereof and shall ensure that the provisions are administered so as not to accumulate any information or distribute any information that is not required by this chapter. The office and each participating district attorney shall ensure that adequate safeguards are incorporated so that data available is used only by properly authorized persons, facilities, and agencies.

(Acts 1981, No. 81-813, p. 1452, §8; Act 99-589, p. 1344, §1.)