(a) No legally recognized privilege, except that between attorney and client and that between priest and penitent in a sacramental confession, applies to situations involving known or suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment and does not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by § 903 of this title or to give or accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect.
(b) In any judicial proceeding involving the custody of a child, the fact that a report has been made pursuant to § 903 or § 905 of this title is not be admissible unless offered by the Department as a party or as a friend of the court. However, this subsection does not prohibit the introduction of evidence from independent sources to support the allegations that may have caused a report to have been made.
(c) To protect the privacy of the family and the child named in a report, the Department shall establish guidelines concerning the disclosure of information concerning the abuse and neglect involving a child. The Department may require persons to make written requests for access to records maintained by the Department. The Department may only release information to persons who have a legitimate public safety need for such information or a need based on the health and safety of a child subject to abuse, neglect or the risk of maltreatment, and such information may be used only for the purpose for which the information is released.
Structure Delaware Code
Subchapter I. Reports and Investigations of Abuse and Neglect
§ 904. Nature and content of report; to whom made.
§ 905. Telephone reports, Child Protection Registry and information.
§ 906. State response to reports of abuse or neglect.
§ 907. Temporary emergency protective custody.
§ 909. Privileged communication not recognized [Effective Jan. 8, 2023].
§ 910. Court orders to compel.
§ 911. Training and information.
§ 912. Confidentiality; disclosure of records [Effective Jan. 8, 2023].
§ 913. Child under treatment by spiritual means not neglected.