§2718. Privileged communications

A. Testimonial privileges, exceptions, and waiver with respect to communications between a social worker and his client are governed by the Louisiana Code of Evidence.

B. No social worker may disclose any information he may have acquired from persons consulting him in his professional capacity that was necessary to enable him to render services to those persons except:

(1) With the written consent of the client, or in the case of death or disability, with the written consent of his personal representative, other person authorized to sue, or the beneficiary of any insurance policy on his life, health, or physical condition.

(2) When the individual is a minor under the age of eighteen and the information acquired by the social worker indicated that the child was the victim or subject of a crime, then the social worker may be required to testify fully in relation thereto upon any examination, trial, or other proceeding in which the commission of such crime is a subject of inquiry.

(3) When a communication reveals the intended commission of a crime or harmful act and such disclosure is determined to be necessary by the social worker to protect any individual or person from a clear, imminent risk of serious mental or physical harm or injury, or to forestall a serious threat to the public safety.

(4) When the person waives the privilege by bringing any public charge against the social worker.

C. Nothing in this Section shall be construed, however, to prohibit a social worker from voluntarily testifying in a court hearing concerning matters of adoption, child abuse, child neglect, or other matters pertaining to children, elderly, and physically or mentally impaired adults, except as prohibited under the applicable state and federal laws.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 706, §1; Acts 1992, No. 376, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §7, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.