Sec. 9. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the following persons are entitled to exercise the patient's rights on the patient's behalf:
(1) If the patient is a minor, the parent, guardian, or other court appointed representative of the patient.
(2) If the provider determines that the patient is incapable of giving or withholding consent, the patient's guardian, a court appointed representative of the patient, a person possessing a health care power of attorney under IC 30-5-5-16 for the patient, or the patient's health care representative under IC 16-36-1-7 or IC 16-36-7.
(b) A custodial parent and a noncustodial parent of a child have equal access to the child's mental health records unless:
(1) a court has issued an order that limits the noncustodial parent's access to the child's mental health records; and
(2) the provider has received a copy of the court order or has actual knowledge of the court order.
If the provider incurs an additional expense by allowing a parent equal access to a child's mental health records, the provider may require the parent requesting the equal access to pay a fee under IC 16-39-9 to cover the cost of the additional expense.
[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-4-8-3.1(i).]
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.4-1997, SEC.7; P.L.50-2021, SEC.64.
Structure Indiana Code
Chapter 2. Release of Mental Health Records to Patient and Authorized Persons
16-39-2-1. Application of Chapter
16-39-2-2. Maintenance of Records by Provider; Contents; Dominion; Time Limits
16-39-2-4. Patient Access; Restrictions; Appeal
16-39-2-5. Access to Patient's Designee or Legal Representative; Written Request
16-39-2-5.5. Provider Requirements; Individualized Mental Health Safety Plans
16-39-2-6. Disclosure Without Patient's Consent; Interpretation of Records; Immunities
16-39-2-7. Discovery or Admissibility Without Patient's Consent
16-39-2-8. Court Ordered Release of Mental Health Records; Provider Provision of Records
16-39-2-9. Exercise of Patient's Rights by Others; Equal Access to Records; Fees